Lisbon, Aug. 5, 2026 (Lusa) - The Portuguese ministry of foreign affairs on Wednesday condemned the latest Russian air strikes on Kyiv, which have left at least 17 people dead, and reiterated Portugal's solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

Portuguese diplomats «strongly condemn this morning's Russian attack on Kyiv, which caused several deaths and left dozens injured», the ministry stated in a post on social media platform X.

Russia bombed the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, early this morning, killing at least 17 people and injuring a further 44.

«We offer our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and express our full solidarity with the Ukrainian people and their authorities,» continued the ministry, led by Paulo Rangel, addressing his Ukrainian counterpart, Andryi Sybyga.

«Portugal stands firmly alongside Ukraine,» the statement added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has once again called on Kyiv's allies to supply the country with air defence systems, as it faces a shortage of ballistic missile interceptors.

«Ballistic missile interceptors could have saved the lives of those who died on this day. It is essential that our partners understand that delays in delivery or reluctance to supply ballistic missile defence systems lead precisely to these human losses,» Zelensky stated on the social media platform Telegram.

The Ukrainian leader, who a month ago obtained authorisation from his US counterpart, Donald Trump, to produce PAC-3 interceptors for the Patriot defence systems, is still finalising preparations with US defence companies to begin production of these missiles on Ukrainian soil.

According to the Ukrainian President, 24 ballistic missiles and 115 drones were used during the attack, and the targets were mainly warehouses belonging to civilian companies.

There were also attacks on infrastructure and a railway station.

Although Ukrainian forces managed to shoot down 98 of the drones, no missiles were intercepted.

The country's Air Force admitted that it had been unable to intercept any of the Russian missiles fired during the offensive, highlighting a severe shortage of air defence munitions.

These ballistic missiles travel at extremely high speeds and can only be stopped by defence systems such as the US-made Patriot, of which Kyiv has only a limited number.

TAB/AYLS // AYLS

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