The recent massive attack by the Russians has highlighted the increasing difficulty Ukrainians face in shooting down ballistic missiles, even with the aid of Patriot anti-aircraft systems. Ukrainian military officials attribute this challenge to modifications made by the invaders to their weapons.

Anger and outrage have gripped the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as it held funerals for some of the 20 people, including nine children, killed by a Russian missile that tore through apartment buildings and blasted a playground.

The strike was the first large-scale attack using missiles and drones since the U.S. said it had negotiated two ceasefire accords with Russia and Ukraine.