President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is betting on ballistic missiles, arguing it is “because of them that Putin still believes in his war.” Speaking after what he called one of the largest Kyiv strikes on July 18–19, he said the attacks were prepared for days with missiles stockpiled. Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s air defenses shot down 18 missiles and neutralized more than a hundred drones, while the attack damaged over 100 sites in Kyiv and the region. He urged partners to expedite agreed air-defense packages.