Russian Strikes Kill 3 in Ukraine as Zelenskyy Calls for Western Air Defense Aid

Ukraine's air force says Russia launched 149 drones and 11 ballistic missiles, with 116 drones and some missiles shot down.

Feb. 9, 2026 at 4:47am

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At least three people in Ukraine were killed in Russian overnight drone and missile strikes, the Interior Ministry in Kyiv reported on Monday, as Moscow continued its nightly long-range bombardment campaign. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy again called for more Western aid to replenish and expand the country's air defense network, which is called into service every night by long-range Russian attacks.

Why it matters

The latest Russian strikes highlight the ongoing threat to Ukrainian civilians from Moscow's aerial bombardment campaign, which has persisted despite recent peace efforts. Zelenskyy's plea for more Western air defense aid underscores Ukraine's continued reliance on external support to counter these attacks.

The details

Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 149 drones and 11 ballistic missiles into the country from Sunday evening into Monday morning, of which 116 drones and an undetermined number of missiles were shot down or suppressed. A woman and a 10-year-old boy were killed when a Russian drone hit the town of Bogodukhiv, and another person was killed by a Russian drone attack on Odesa. Nine people were also injured by a Russian strike on a residential area in Shakhtarsk.

  • The latest round of strikes came soon after Zelenskyy's call for more Western air defense aid.
  • The attacks occurred from Sunday evening into Monday morning.

The players

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

The President of Ukraine who has repeatedly called for more Western aid to bolster the country's air defenses against Russian attacks.

Russia's Defense Ministry

The Russian government agency that claimed its forces shot down at least 71 Ukrainian drones overnight.

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What they’re saying

“Each of our partners must recognize their strength, their ability to support Ukraine and protect lives. Missiles for air defense are needed every single day. Protection against Russian ballistic attacks is needed every single day. No country in the world should be left alone and without assistance under such strikes and in such a war.”

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Instagram)

“We do not have to choose whether we strike a military target or energy. He sells this energy. He sells oil. So is it energy, or is it a military target? Honestly, it's the same thing. He sells oil, takes the money, invests it in weapons. And with those weapons, he kills Ukrainians.”

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (National Aviation University in Kyiv)

What’s next

The U.S. has proposed hosting the next round of trilateral peace talks, likely in Miami, in a week, and Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian side has confirmed its participation.

The takeaway

The continued Russian strikes on Ukraine underscore the urgent need for the country to bolster its air defense capabilities, which Zelenskyy has repeatedly called on Western allies to provide. The failure to achieve a breakthrough in recent peace talks also highlights the ongoing challenges in resolving the conflict diplomatically.