July 6 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy lamented a shortage of arms to defend Ukraine against Russian ballistic missiles on Monday and said it was "absurd" that production could not meet demand to protect people.

Russia’s nearly unimpeded strikes are the consequence of a global dearth of interceptors for the U.S.-made Patriot antimissile system.

Ukraine is engaged in a campaign in Crimea to take out Russian air defenses, sever vital supply lines, and cripple the peninsula's energy grid and fuel reserves.

Crews are racing to find survivors under rubble Russia targets Kyiv in air strikes for the second time in a week.

Ukraine is striking Russian energy infrastructure at an unprecedented rate, according to an FT data analysis showing that Kyiv’s intensified drone campaign is spurring Russia’s worst fuel crisis in decades.

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, Russia is seeking greater involvement from Belarus while Belarusian President Aliaksandr Lukashenka resists engagement.

Ukrainian officials urged their allies to immediately transfer more high-end Patriot interceptors from stockpiles.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky says the strikes are intended to compel Russia to return to the negotiating table