Kyiv braces for possible major Russian barrage

Key Points:

• Russia launched over 100 drones and two ballistic missiles at Ukraine overnight, with a focus on Kyiv, but Ukraine's foreign ministry stated that Moscow's threats to intensify air strikes on the capital were not new.
• Despite Russia urging foreign diplomats and citizens to evacuate Kyiv due to "systemic strikes," no diplomatic missions, including those from the EU, France, and Poland, announced plans to leave, condemning Russia's warnings as intimidation and panic-sowing.
• Russian officials indicated potential targets include underground bunkers housing Ukraine's armed forces and government agencies, but not the Ukrainian parliament or presidential office.
• Ukrainian President Zelenskyy highlighted a shortage of advanced American-made air defense systems needed to counter Russian ballistic missiles, attributing delays to the U.S. focus on the Iran conflict, while Ukraine works with Europe to bolster its defenses.
• Analysts suggest Russia's recent missile attacks aim to divert attention from its faltering spring offensive and economic strains caused by the war and sanctions, as Ukraine's midrange drone strikes disrupt Russian supply lines.