The Sahel's "Great Green Wall" is more than about planting trees

Ukraine's air defenses intercepted five Russian ballistic missiles during a large-scale overnight attack on July 14–15, marking the first reported successful interceptions of ballistic missiles in nearly two weeks as Kyiv seeks to strengthen its air defense capabilities amid continuing Russian strikes. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched eight Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles, two Kh-59/69 cruise missiles, and 135 attack drones overnight. Ukrainian forces said they destroyed seven missiles, including five ballistic missiles, and intercepted 108 drones. However, several missiles and drones penetrated the country's defenses, damaging civilian infrastructure in Kyiv and other regions. In the capital, explosions were reported shortly after midnight, with President Volodymyr Zelensky saying that 16 sites were damaged, including a school and a civilian enterprise. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported fires at two warehouses. While no fatalities were recorded in the capital, Russian attacks elsewhere in the country killed at least seven people and injured 78, according to regional authorities. Casualties were reported in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv oblasts, with critical infrastructure also struck in several regions. The successful interceptions come after weeks of concern over Ukraine's dwindling supply of interceptor missiles. Following a massive Russian strike on July 6, Ukrainian officials said they failed to intercept any of the 29 ballistic missiles launched, prompting Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat to warn that the country lacked sufficient interceptor missiles to counter such attacks. Although the Ukrainian Air Force did not specify which system was used during the latest attack, the ballistic missiles were likely intercepted by U.S.-supplied Patriot systems, Ukraine's most effective defense against Russian ballistic threats. President Volodymyr Zelensky himself has repeatedly cautioned that Patriot interceptor stocks are critically low, a shortage that recently prompted the United States to approve a licensing agreement allowing the missiles to be produced in Ukraine with U.S. support. Speaking after the latest bombardment, Zelensky has once again renewed calls for tougher sanctions against Russia and urged the European Union to adopt its 21st sanctions package. "Every day sanctions are delayed gives Russia additional time to prepare. Everything Russia uses to prolong this war and attack people – chips, microelectronics, dual-use goods – must be stopped," Zelensky argued. He also reiterated the need to establish a European anti-ballistic missile defense system, describing it as a more affordable, mass-produced complement to the U.S.-made Patriot system. The appeal comes as Ukraine and its allies expand defense cooperation. During Bastille Day events in Paris on July 14, Zelensky announced the creation of a coalition of ten countries to develop a shared European ballistic missile shield. He said the initiative aims to create a more affordable, mass-produced system that would complement existing Patriot batteries. During the same gathering of the “coalition of the willing,” France also pledged additional military assistance, including advanced SAMP/T-NG air defense systems, Rafale fighter jets, and cooperation on domestic production of Western missiles and precision-guided munitions. The initiative follows a separate agreement with the United States, conceived at the NATO Summit in Ankara, allowing Ukraine to begin licensed production of Patriot interceptor missiles.