EU Releases €1.4 Billion for Ukraine After Deadly Russian Strike on Kyiv
Russia's latest mass strike on Kyiv, which killed at least 17 people and involved dozens of ballistic missiles and more than a hundred drones, prompted the European Union to release another €1.4 billion for Ukraine from profits generated by frozen Russian assets. The decision underscores the growing link between Europe's financial support and Ukraine's urgent air defence needs.
The European Union will provide Ukraine with another €1.4 billion generated from profits on frozen Russian sovereign assets, following one of the deadliest Russian attacks on Kyiv in recent months. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the decision after condemning Moscow's latest strike, describing it as another example of Russia's "horrible atrocities." The funds are intended to strengthen Ukraine's defence capabilities and resilience as the country continues to face escalating missile and drone attacks.
One of the Deadliest Attacks on Kyiv This Year
The announcement came only hours after Russia launched a massive overnight assault against the Ukrainian capital and surrounding region. According to Ukrainian authorities, the attack killed at least 17 people and injured 44 others, while rescue operations continued throughout the day. The strike once again demonstrated the growing pressure on Ukraine's air defence network as Russia increasingly relies on large-scale combined attacks involving ballistic missiles and drones.
During the overnight bombardment, Russia launched 24 ballistic missiles, four additional missiles and 115 attack drones. Ukrainian air defences intercepted 98 drones, but none of the ballistic missiles were destroyed, underscoring the continuing shortage of interceptor missiles capable of countering high-speed threats. Several districts of Kyiv suffered direct hits, with residential buildings, warehouses and civilian infrastructure damaged or destroyed. Fires broke out across the city as emergency crews searched through collapsed buildings for survivors.
Air Defence Remains the Critical Gap
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy argued that the scale of the casualties reflected delays in supplying Ukraine with additional air defence systems, particularly Patriot interceptors capable of engaging ballistic missiles. Kyiv has repeatedly warned that while drone attacks can often be contained, ballistic missiles remain one of the most difficult threats to stop without sufficient Western support.
The latest strike has reinforced concerns among Ukraine's European partners that Russia is deliberately attempting to overwhelm Ukrainian air defences through increasingly complex combinations of missiles and drones. Protecting major cities from these attacks has become one of Kyiv's most urgent military priorities.
Frozen Russian Assets Become a Strategic Tool
Against this backdrop, the European Commission confirmed that another tranche of funding derived from frozen Russian assets would soon be transferred to Ukraine. The €1.4 billion package is expected to support Ukraine's defence industry, military procurement and broader resilience as Russia continues its campaign of long-range strikes. It forms part of the EU's wider policy of redirecting proceeds from immobilised Russian state assets to assist Ukraine while maintaining economic pressure on Moscow.
The timing of the announcement sends a broader political message. Rather than treating Russian attacks as isolated incidents, the European Union is increasingly linking its financial support directly to Ukraine's immediate security needs. As long as Russia continues its campaign of large-scale missile and drone strikes, European assistance is likely to focus not only on reconstruction but also on enabling Ukraine to defend its skies more effectively.
Sources: President of Ukraine, Ukrainian Air Force, Euractiv, Reuters