Missile Assault on Kyiv by Russia Claims 18 Lives; US PAC-3 Supplies Dwindling

In a significant escalation, Russia executed a comprehensive assault on Kyiv overnight, employing ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, resulting in at least 18 fatalities and numerous injuries, as reported by NPR. The coordinated attack overwhelmed Ukrainian air defense systems, which struggled to cope with the sheer number of threats. Analysis from CBS News highlights a growing dilemma: Ukraine's air defenses are facing a severe shortage of PAC-3 interceptors, the most effective means of countering Russian ballistic missile threats, with Russian production potentially increasing to 600-800 missiles annually by late 2026. Lockheed Martin, responsible for PAC-3 manufacturing, provided only 620 interceptors globally in 2025. Should Congress deny resupply requests for Ukraine, American cities might encounter a complete lack of available PAC-3 production.