A fresh wave of drone and missile strikes between Russia and Ukraine has left nine dead, as Kyiv struggles to defend against ballistic missiles without enough Patriot munitions. The latest exchanges highlight a growing vulnerability that NATO allies are scrambling to address. Main Developments Russian attacks across Ukraine killed four people overnight. In the central Dnipropetrovsk region, three died—two at an industrial enterprise in Kryvyi Rih—while a 48-year-old man was killed by a drone strike in Kherson, according to local officials. Ukraine's counterstrikes killed five people. Four died in the Russian-occupied town of Enerhodar, home to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and a long-range drone attack killed a man in Russia's Samara region, officials reported. Read also: 3 Key Oil Deals on Agenda as Iraqi PM Heads to Washington Background Russia has escalated its aerial attacks in recent weeks, exploiting a critical shortage of Patriot air defense munitions in Ukraine. The system is largely unable to intercept ballistic missiles traveling at several times the speed of sound, leaving cities exposed. Enerhodar, site of Europe's largest nuclear plant, fell to Russian forces shortly after the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The town has remained a flashpoint, with both sides trading blame for attacks near the facility. Why It Matters The Patriot shortage directly affects civilian casualties and Ukraine's ability to protect critical infrastructure. Without sufficient interceptors, Russia can strike deeper and more effectively, putting more lives at risk and straining Kyiv's defensive posture. International pledges to resupply Ukraine come as diplomatic efforts intensify. At least 25 heads of state, dubbed the "Coalition of the Willing," are due in Paris on Monday to discuss support for Kyiv and pressure on Moscow to end the war. What's Next NATO countries pledged at last week's Ankara summit to provide more Patriot munitions. U.S. President Donald Trump also signaled a willingness to grant Kyiv a license to manufacture the American missiles domestically, potentially easing the supply crunch. The Paris meeting Monday could yield further commitments, though the timeline for delivery remains unclear. Without a rapid influx of interceptors, Ukraine will likely continue to suffer disproportionate losses from ballistic missile strikes.