After Trump walks back pledge to give Ukraine Patriot license, Russian attacks kill nine people

Following US President Donald Trump's reversal on a pledge to license Patriot interceptor missile production to Ukraine, Russian ballistic missile attacks killed at least nine people and injured dozens. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported over 1,500 sites targeted last week, with Russia firing 35 missiles, including 27 ballistic missiles, and 185 attack drones overnight Friday into Saturday. Zelensky stated only one ballistic missile was intercepted due to a shortage of Patriot system interceptors, emphasizing that "it is this shortage of ballistic missile interceptors that only encourages Russia to launch such attacks that take human lives." Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reiterated urgent pleas for missiles, asserting that "the battle for the skies that will define the trajectory of this war." Trump had previously told Zelensky in July, "We're going to give a license to you to make Patriots." However, he walked back this commitment, stating, "it's a hard thing to give away that kind of technology." Zelensky, without directly referencing Trump's reversal, urged partners to provide these systems, noting, "The world has Patriot missiles. What matters now is for our partners to make the political decision to provide the necessary packages."