Ukraine: Over 50 Injured in Russian Missile Strikes on Kyiv

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Facts

  • At least 53 civilians were injured after Russian missiles targeted the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv in early morning attacks on Wednesday.1
  • The attacks came hours after Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US Pres. Joe Biden at the White House and reiterated Ukraine's need for additional military aid, including support for missile defenses.2
  • With Congress yet to approve additional US spending on Ukraine — an issue that's become tied to a thorny domestic debate on immigration — Biden told Zelenskyy in a press conference that he had full confidence that Ukraine could win the war with Russia and that the US would remain closely by its side. However, he acknowledged: 'We’re in negotiations to get funding we need. Not making promises, but hopeful we can get there — I think we can.'2
  • Minutes earlier, Biden also told Zelenskyy that the US would continue to supply Ukraine with air defenses, artillery, and other weapons for 'as long as we can' — a stark contrast from Washington's previous mantra of 'as long as it takes.' Biden did announce a $200M package for Ukraine, pulling from previously authorized funds, but the figure is expected to be well short of covering all of Ukraine's needs.2
  • Meanwhile, Zelenskyy reportedly is said to have told a private audience at Ukraine's Washington embassy on Monday that the country had only a 'handful' of air-defense missiles left to protect Kyiv. The report was published Tuesday, preceding Moscow's attack on the Ukrainian capital hours later.3
  • Ukrainian officials said that Russia fired 10 missiles overnight, but alleged to have shot all of them down with missile defenses. Nonetheless, falling missile debris is reported to have caused damage to a number of buildings, including a kindergarten and several private residences. Of the 53 injured, 23 were hospitalized for further treatment.4

Sources: 1Ukrainska pravda (a), 2Politico (a), 3Politico (b) and 4Ukrainska pravda (b).

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by U.s. department of defense. Despite Pres. Vladimir Putin's bet that the American people will hang Ukraine out to dry, the US remains a steadfast supporter of Ukraine. Although Congress is currently debating Ukraine's next potential security packages, the US will no doubt prove Putin wrong and give Ukraine all the military assistance it needs in order to defeat him.
  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Politico. Although Pres. Joe Biden promised Ukraine a great deal, in reality, his words indicated he was a lot less certain that he'd be able to deliver them. 'As long as it takes,' has turned into 'As long as we can.' On the question of further aid packages, Biden said he was 'not making promises.'

Predictions