Ursula von der Leyen says missile defense for Ukraine is "the most urgent of priorities"

Ukraine’s president said on Thursday that delays in allied deliveries of interceptor missiles were costing lives after an overnight Russian bombardment around Kyiv killed 17 people and wounded more than 40. Ukrainian air defenses said they had shot down most drones and cruise missiles, but gave no word on whether any ballistic missiles were stopped. Zelensky has sought more Patriot systems, which Ukraine says are its only means of stopping ballistic missiles. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, answered on X that she was working with E.U. governments and partners to provide missile defenses against ballistic attack, placing that effort ahead of all other matters. Residential blocks, schools, food depots and Red Cross sites were reported damaged, and US-mediated peace negotiations are still stalled.