Russia Hits Kyiv With Ballistic Missiles Hours After 10-Nation Air Defense Coalition Forms
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jul 13
Russia Hits Kyiv With Ballistic Missiles Hours After 10-Nation Air Defense Coalition Forms
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jul 13
Summary
Kyiv came under a new Russian ballistic missile attack early Tuesday, with Mayor Vitali Klitschko saying air defense units were intercepting incoming strikes and fires broke out in the Holosiivskyi district.
The barrage landed just hours after Ukraine and nine European partners announced an Integrated Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition in Paris to counter the growing threat from Russian ballistic missiles.
10 countries and about a dozen defense firms backed the effort, which is meant to develop a cheaper European alternative to the US Patriot system and support Ukraine's Freyja project.
Paris talks also produced fresh military commitments: France said Ukraine ordered new Franco-Italian air defense systems, 16 Rafale jets due in 2028-2029, and won a license to produce French missiles including SCALP.
The strike underscores a wider escalation in the war's fifth year, with Russia intensifying missile and drone attacks as Ukraine expands deep strikes on Russian oil, shipping and weapons targets.
As Europe builds its own missile defense, is the war entering a dangerous new technological phase?
Can a new low-cost missile shield truly protect Europe from Russia's advanced hypersonic weapons?
European Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition Formed: Freya Project Aims to Shield Ukraine and the Continent from Russian Strikes (July 2026)
Overview
In early July 2026, a surge in Russian ballistic missile attacks on Ukrainian cities exposed Ukraine’s urgent air defense crisis. Responding to this threat and President Zelensky’s call for more advanced systems, ten European nations—including France, Germany, and the UK—formed the Anti-Ballistic Missile Coalition on July 13, 2026. Their main goal is to build a shared European missile defense, centered on the new Freya Project. This initiative aims to integrate research, industry, and operational experience, providing a unified and stronger shield for Europe while directly addressing Ukraine’s immediate security needs.