Child among three killed in Russian missile strikes near Kyiv, Ukraine says
At least three people, including a child, were killed in overnight Russian missile attacks near the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, according to Ukrainian officials. The strikes on Saturday targeted areas east of the capital, with witnesses reporting powerful explosions just days after a wave of attacks across Ukraine left 21 people dead.
Timur Tkachenko, head of the regional military administration, said falling debris damaged apartment buildings and cars, while a separate building caught fire. Three other people were wounded in the ballistic missile strikes. Emergency crews in Kyiv were also battling a fire at a building and a fuel tank, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram.
Ukraine's State Emergency Service shared photographs showing garages, a business, and a building on fire in the capital region. “The number of victims is being clarified,” the agency said in a statement.
The latest attack comes amid intensifying exchanges between Russia and Ukraine. Earlier in the week, Ukraine struck two oil refineries deep inside Russia and Moscow-linked vessels in the Black Sea, which President Volodymyr Zelensky said was intended to reduce the oil revenues Russia uses to finance its war effort.
Zelensky has repeatedly appealed to Western allies for more air-defence systems. He said delays in delivering anti-ballistic systems from partners lead to “horrific casualties and destruction” and that a stronger interceptor capability “could have saved lives” in recent assaults. He also noted that the supply of interceptors from allies had been “significantly reduced” this year.
The Ukrainian president arrived in Belgrade on Saturday for his first visit to Serbia since the start of the war. His talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić were expected to focus on economic ties, relations with the European Union, and security issues. Serbia, which is seeking EU membership, has provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine and pledged to assist in post-war reconstruction, but has so far refused to impose sanctions on Russia.
The visit underscores Ukraine's effort to broaden international support beyond its traditional allies, even as recent mediation efforts have failed to produce a ceasefire. Both sides have escalated attacks in recent weeks, with civilian casualties continuing to mount.
The overnight strikes near Kyiv highlight the ongoing threat to civilians across Ukraine. The United Nations and humanitarian organisations have repeatedly called for the protection of non-combatants under international law.
The full scale of the damage and casualties in Saturday's attacks is still being assessed as rescue workers continue to search through the debris. Officials have urged residents in affected areas to remain in shelters during air-raid alerts.
