Joanna Kekisis

Russia launched nine ballistic missiles and 62 attack drones called Shaheds, which resemble small planes and often carry warheads.

Ukraine's military says it did shoot down 50 drones and four missiles.

In the capital, Kyiv, missiles killed at least two people and injured at least a dozen.

Russia also hit the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson with glide bombs, artillery and attack drones, killing at least three people there and injuring more than two dozen, including three children.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine wants to purchase 25 Patriot air defense systems from the U.S.

to protect itself from Russian attacks.

Joanna Kekisis, NPR News, Kyiv.

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

She believed in those words.