The weekend saw another major Russian barrage against Kyiv, with only two out of the 33 missiles launched intercepted overnight into Saturday, as it also damaged the Lithuanian Embassy in Kyiv.
The abysmal interception rate again underscores the urgency of Patriot interceptors – but with their arrivals still uncertain, Zelensky has once again emphasized the need to rally support for the Freyja system, saying securing support for it is the key task for Ukraine’s diplomats.
But it wasn’t just Kyiv being hit by explosions – on Saturday evening, a high-end Italian restaurant was rocked by a major blast as the commander of Russia’s aerospace forces was reportedly celebrating his birthday with friends and family, killing at least five and injuring 21 – reportedly including the general’s 25-year-old daughter. But according to Russia’s embassy in Italy, the bombing was meant to “intimidate” Italians in Russia, a claim rebuffed by Rome’s top diplomat as a “colossal lie.”
Things aren’t looking bright for Russia’s Wildberries either – as more warehouses came under Ukrainian strikes after the 60% targeted as of Friday, the company has now barred employees from bringing smartphones to work for fear of damage reports leaking. Meanwhile, Russia retaliated by hitting Ukraine’s online retailer Rozetka and postal hubs, though the damage is arguably minimal compared to that inflicted on Wildberries.
In other, slightly more pessimistic news, Ukraine is reportedly liberating less territory than Moscow captured in July, while Russia’s Starlink alternative is reportedly gaining enough momentum to offer partial coverage over Ukraine – which might also explain why Zelensky is now pushing for the war to end before the winter.
By Leo Chiu
