Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy renewed his appeal for U.S.-made Patriot missile interceptors after an overnight Russian missile and drone barrage on Kyiv killed at least 10 people and injured dozens more, Ukrainian officials said Aug.1."The world has Patriot missiles.
What matters now is for our partners to make the political decision to provide the necessary packages.The United States knows what we need.
Europe knows what we need," Zelenskyy said in a video message shared on X."Anti-ballistic missiles must protect people – not sit in stockpiles," he added.Zelenskyy's appeal came as a former Ukrainian government official told Fox News Digital that Ukraine's civilian protection crisis extends far beyond air defenses, describing "scandalous situations" amid a widening bomb shelter probe that has allegedly exposed deficiencies despite billions spent on construction and repairs.RUSSIA LAUNCHES BALLISTIC MISSILE ATTACK ON KYIV HOURS AFTER ZELENSKYY WARNS OF MAJOR STRIKEA Patriot system received by Ukraine is seen on the Day of Ukrainian Air Force on August 4, 2024. (Vitalii Nosach/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, is also auditing its shelter spending, according to local reports."It's not possible to keep begging for missiles all the time.This is not how one protects the population," ex-Ukrainian government spokesperson Luliia Mendel said.
"Zelenskyy is shifting responsibility onto the United States and Western partners for the lack of protection inside Ukraine."Mendel went on to describe how Ukrainians have been saying they are drawing their "anti-drone curtains" and closing their "anti-missile windows" simply to illustrate that their survival depends more on luck than on systematic protection from the state."Scandalous situations keep arising," she said, "where people have no chance to take cover.""Many still lack shelters close enough to reach quickly every time danger strikes," Mendel added.Ukraine and Finland launched th...