Amid growing friction with the United States that has exposed vulnerabilities in its air defense networks and military intelligence, Ukraine is suffering a wave of civilian casualties from ongoing Russian attacks.

According to AFP and Reuters on the 20th local time, overnight Russian strikes left at least four civilians dead and 11 others injured across Ukraine.

Regional authorities in Ukraine reported that three civilians were killed in the Kyiv region and one in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Three energy facilities in the Odesa region were also targeted.

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that it had targeted Ukrainian logistics and port facilities, denying allegations that it targeted civilians.

Russia also continued its attacks targeting Ukraine's Black Sea and Danube ports, striking four vessels at the ports of Odesa and Reni.

Ukrainian authorities claim that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is pressuring Ukraine by delaying the approval of Patriot interceptor missile supplies.

Ukraine urgently needs interceptor missiles like the Patriot to fend off Russian attacks, but its missile stockpiles are running dangerously low.

Last week, a Ukrainian official stated that the remaining inventory of interceptor missiles was down to just "a couple of rounds."

Intelligence support regarding Russian ballistic missile attacks, previously provided by the U.S., has also faced disruptions, causing air raid sirens in cities to fail to function properly.

Ukraine reportedly failed to receive intelligence on Russian ballistic missile attacks at least three times recently.

Ukrainian officials also noted that the functionality of Starlink, which is essential for Ukraine's drone operations, has degraded.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on social media that day that he discussed the Starlink situation, air defense support, and intelligence assistance during a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The friction between the U.S. and Ukraine was sparked by an energy truce and a transit deal with Russia, which were abruptly announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.

These measures were interpreted as an effort to appease voters angered by rising oil prices ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, but President Zelenskyy clashed with President Trump by opposing the easing of sanctions on Russia.

Relations between the two countries deteriorated further, particularly as President Trump pressured mainly Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries while Russian assaults continued.

Despite U.S. pressure, Ukraine resumed its attacks on Russian oil refineries.

In response, President Trump took a swipe at Zelenskyy the previous day, saying, "Frankly, Russia has been fine to Ukraine" and "Zelenskyy is not doing much to help improve the situation."

He also escalated the pressure by suggesting that President Zelenskyy should step down.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)