Kyiv, Aug. 2 -- Following a deadly Russian strike, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday issued an urgent demand to Western allies to transfer Patriot air defence interceptors to Ukraine, asserting that anti-ballistic missiles must defend lives rather than "sit in stockpiles".

Zelenskyy's address came after Russia launched a heavy aerial attack involving 35 missiles, predominantly ballistic, alongside nearly 190 drones of various types. He said that the strikes primarily targeted the capital, Kyiv, as well as critical infrastructure in surrounding municipalities including Brovary and Vyshneve. At least nine people were killed and 40 others injured in the Kyiv region alone.

Calling directly on Washington and European capitals to make...