Russia launched 24 ballistic missiles in an overnight attack on Wednesday, killing at least 17 people. Preliminary data from the Ukrainian air force showed its defences shot down 98 of the 115 drones fired by Russia overnight, but none of the ballistic missiles. Ukraine has been short on US-made Patriot interceptors capable of downing Russian ballistic missiles since the ⁠start of the war. Patriot missile systems are the only system in Ukrainian service able to intercept the Russian Iskander-M, S-400 and Zircon missiles, according to the Ukrainian air force. Nato says Europe’s first Patriot missile production facility is expected to open in September in Germany.