In Kiev, Ukraine, local officials reported that four people, including a child, died during Russian attacks on both the capital and its surrounding areas. These incidents coincide with Ukrainian strikes on another Russian oil refinery.
Residents are experiencing constant drone and missile attacks that overwhelm the diminished Ukrainian air defenses. Meanwhile, Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil facilities have led to fuel shortages, unsettling Russians. Two grandparents and their three-year-old grandson died when Russian drones destroyed their home in Brovary, northeast of Kiev, early Saturday.
Three other family members and a neighbor assisting them were hospitalized. The attack flattened their home, damaging adjacent structures and vehicles.
In Kiev, Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, confirmed that another individual died in a missile strike on civilian infrastructure.
At least another person died in an attack with six ballistic missiles against civilian infrastructure.
Ukraine’s air force reported it intercepted 135 out of 151 drones launched by Russia overnight, including six ballistic missiles and other guided projectiles.
Moscow continues to attack civilian areas in Ukraine, though it claims to target only military sites. The Kremlin capitalizes on Ukraine’s shortage of interceptors for the U.S.-made Patriot systems, the only weapon capable of downing ballistic missiles.
Zelenskyy urged other nations, particularly the United States, for more ammunition. He also expressed a desire to manufacture Patriot ammunition within Ukraine or secure permission from Elon Musk to use the Starlink satellite system for guiding attacks on Russia.
Following recent offensives, Zelenskyy pleaded on social media for sanctions to prevent further missile production and called for anti-ballistic capabilities and missile interceptors.
Ukraine’s defense ministry stated that it intercepted around 5,300 drones and missiles last month, nearly 60% of the approximately 9,000 launched by Russia during the same period.
In Russia, six people sustained injuries due to a fire at the Ilsky oil refinery in Krasnodar region, caused by the debris of a drone, according to local authorities.
Ukraine’s General Staff claimed responsibility for attacks on this facility, along with another refinery in Syzran, Samara region, over 800 kilometers from the border.
Samara’s regional governor, Vyacheslav Fedorishchev, confirmed drone strikes on an “industrial company,” omitting mention of the refinery.
Ukraine’s long-range drones and missiles have consistently targeted Russian oil infrastructures, contributing to a fuel crisis that embarrasses the Kremlin.
Hours after these attacks, Zelenskyy commenced his first official visit to Serbia, one of few European nations maintaining friendly relations with Russia despite its invasion of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy noted that significant talks are planned with Serbia’s leaders, President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister Djuro Macut, focusing on economic ties, EU relations, and security issues.
The Associated Press journalist Elise Morton in London contributed to this report.