Yurii Ihnat

Ukrainian air defenses thwarted an intense Russian air attack on Kiev early Tuesday, shooting down all 18 missiles aimed at the capital, as European leaders sought new ways to punish Russia for the war and a Chinese envoy sought traction for Beijing's peace proposal.

Ukraine's air force claimed Saturday to have downed a Russian hypersonic missile over Kiev using newly acquired American Patriot defense systems, the first known time the country has been able to intercept one of Moscow's most modern missiles.

American-made Patriot missiles have arrived in Ukraine, the country's defense minister said Wednesday, providing Kiev with a long-sought new shield against the Russian airstrikes that have devastated cities and civilian infrastructure.