Ukraine: Trump rejects Zelensky’s request for new Patriot missiles
Kyiv orders the evacuation of Kromatorsk due to Russian air raids. Bombs hit Kyiv, leaving 17 dead and 44 injured
According to the Financial Times, which cites ‘sources familiar with the talks’, at last week’s meeting at the White House, Donald Trump rejected Volodymyr Zelensky’s request to supply hundreds of new Patriot interceptor missiles. The sources added that the US president justified his decision by stating that these missiles are needed by the US to defend its interests in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf in the war with Iran.
The Ukrainian president stated today that one of the possible reasons for the reduction in supplies of US anti-ballistic missiles could be political in nature, specifically an attempt to make Ukraine more willing to compromise. During a meeting of the National Security and Defence Council, Zelenskyy referred to reports released earlier in the day stating that, since the start of 2026, Ukraine has been receiving three times fewer anti-ballistic missiles. “This was linked to the war, or, to be more precise, it would be correct to say today that it relates to military operations and conflicts in the Middle East. At least, that is the official explanation we have received from our partners, primarily from the United States, but also from our European partners,” Zelensky stated. At the same time, the Ukrainian president suggested that the reduction in supplies might also have other reasons: “These could also be political manoeuvres, designed to make Ukraine more willing to compromise. In my view, this cannot be ruled out.”
Massive Russian attacks on Kyiv: 17 dead and 44 injured
A decision that has been announced following a night of massive Russian raids which struck Kyiv and the surrounding region. ‘At present, 44 people have been injured in the massive Russian attack on Kyiv and the surrounding region. Sadly, a further 17 people have lost their lives. Missile defence systems could have saved the lives of those killed today.’ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote this on X. “It is vital,” he added, “that our partners understand that delays in supplying such systems, or a reluctance to supply them, directly lead to such terrible loss of life and destruction.”
“In the Holossiivsky district, two injured people were pulled from the rubble of a destroyed warehouse,” announced the mayor of Kyiv, Vitaly Klitschko, on Telegram, adding that rescue operations were still under way. The Ukrainian Air Force had previously reported the approach of several ballistic missiles. Ukraine failed to shoot down a single Russian missile during the night-time attack, according to a report by the Air Force. The Russian military deployed 115 drones and launched 28 high-speed missiles, including ballistic missiles, the Air Force stated, whilst officials are complaining of a severe shortage of anti-ballistic munitions.
Kiev orders the evacuation of Kramatorsk due to Russian air raids
On the afternoon of 5 August, the Ukrainian authorities ordered the evacuation of hundreds of families with children from the fortified city of Kramatorsk, in eastern Ukraine, due to intensifying Russian attacks, as Moscow’s troops advance in the vicinity. “This is a difficult but necessary decision. The security situation is deteriorating, so it is unacceptable to leave children under the constant threat of Russian attacks,” said Vadym Filashkin, governor of the Donetsk region, adding that 525 children and their carers would be forcibly evacuated.
