NATO chief promises air defence push following deadly Russian strikes

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte pledged to work with allies to strengthen Ukrainian air defences following deadly Russian missile strikes.
Following severe Russian air strikes across Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated he is consulting allies to bolster Ukrainian air defences after discussions with President Volodymyr Zelensky. Ukrainian intelligence also reported the deployment of a North Korean missile unit within Russian borders.
The developments follow devastating Russian attacks on Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, where glide bombs and missile barrages caused significant casualties. Concurrently, Ukrainian drone strikes targeted Russian border regions, Crimea, and a Black Sea beach near Gelendzhik, leaving at least 12 civilians dead, alongside five fatalities from a raid on Moscow’s outskirts.
Separately, reports indicated a suicide bombing in Moscow targeting Russia's air force chief, while Italian forces interdicted a Russian shadow fleet tanker off Pantelleria.
Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica, La Stampa.
Sources
- La Stampa — Drone su una spiaggia vicino al Palazzo Putin: in tutto 11 morti nei raid di Kiev, fra loro 3 bimbi
- Corriere della Sera — Guerra Ucraina-Russia, le notizie in diretta | Zelensky: «Safary con droni russi sui civili a Kherson». Raid ucraino alla periferia di Mosca: cinque morti e sei feriti
- Il Messaggero — Russia, le "vedove nere" del fronte: matrimoni lampo con i soldati per intascare il risarcimento di guerra
- ANSA — Ucraina: raid russi su Kiev, almeno 17 morti. Zelensky: 'Con gli intercettori sarebbero vivi'
- La Repubblica — Guerra Ucraina - Russia, le news di oggi. Kiev: “Unità missilistica nordcoreana schierata in Russia”
Earlier coverage
- Aug 29, 2026, 02:00 PM UTCUkrainian drone strikes target Russian regions as cross-border attacks intensify
- Aug 29, 2026, 11:30 AM UTCKyiv urges air defense support amid deadly Russian strikes and Ukrainian counterattacks
- Aug 28, 2026, 08:00 PM UTCRussian strikes hit Kyiv as Ukraine counterattacks near Moscow and Crimea
- Aug 28, 2026, 06:30 AM UTCRussian strikes kill 17 in Kyiv as Ukrainian drone attacks hit border regions
- Aug 28, 2026, 05:30 AM UTCUkraine and Russia exchange deadly aerial strikes as Zelensky rejects Donbas retreat
- Aug 27, 2026, 08:30 PM UTCRussian raids hit Kyiv while Ukrainian drones target Russian regions
- Aug 27, 2026, 02:00 PM UTCRussian strikes hit Kyiv as long-range attacks escalate across both borders
- Aug 27, 2026, 01:30 PM UTCRussia and Ukraine exchange strikes as Zelensky rules out Donbas withdrawal
- Aug 27, 2026, 11:30 AM UTCUkraine faces heavy Russian raids as reciprocal strikes target Moscow
- Aug 27, 2026, 05:30 AM UTCRussian strikes hit Kyiv as cross-border aerial attacks escalate