Russian attacks in Kyiv and the surrounding region killed four people, including a 3-year-old child, Ukrainian officials said Saturday.
The Russian attacks in Kyiv came as Ukrainian air defenses struggled to stop another major overnight barrage of drones and missiles. Ukraine, meanwhile, reported strikes on oil facilities deep inside Russia.
Grandparents and Grandson Killed in Kyiv Region
Multiple Russian drones destroyed a home in the Brovary district of Kyiv region early Saturday.
Two grandparents and their 3-year-old grandson died in the attack, local authorities said. The strike reduced the family home to rubble and damaged nearby buildings and vehicles.
Three other family members and a neighbor who went to help suffered injuries and required hospital treatment.
In Kyiv city, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said another person died after a Russian strike involving six ballistic missiles targeted civilian infrastructure.
Ukraine’s Air Force said it intercepted or destroyed 135 of the 151 Russian drones that Moscow launched overnight. The attack also included six ballistic missiles and other guided weapons.
Ukraine Faces Growing Air Defense Pressure
The latest Russian attacks in Kyiv highlight Ukraine’s continuing shortage of air defense ammunition.
Moscow has repeatedly launched large drone and missile barrages against Ukrainian cities during its full-scale invasion. Russia says it targets military facilities, while Ukrainian officials say the attacks have repeatedly damaged civilian areas and caused casualties.
Ukraine faces a particularly serious shortage of interceptors for U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems. The system remains one of the few weapons available to Ukraine that can counter ballistic missiles.
Zelenskyy has urged international partners, especially the United States, to provide additional Patriot ammunition.
He has also called for stronger sanctions to restrict Russia’s ability to produce ballistic missiles.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses destroyed about 5,300 Russian drones and missiles last month. Russia launched around 9,000 attack drones and missiles during the same period, according to the ministry.
Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Facilities
The fighting also extended deep into Russian territory.
Six people suffered injuries after a fire broke out at the Ilsky Oil Refinery in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region. Local officials said debris from a downed drone caused the fire.
Ukraine’s General Staff said its forces struck the Ilsky refinery and the Syzran Oil Refinery in Russia’s Samara region.
The Samara regional governor confirmed that drones hit an industrial facility but did not identify the site as the refinery.
Ukraine has carried out frequent long-range drone strikes against Russian oil facilities in recent months. Kyiv says the attacks aim to disrupt Russia’s military and economic infrastructure.
Zelenskyy Visits Serbia
The latest Russian attacks in Kyiv came shortly after Zelenskyy arrived in Serbia for his first official visit to the country.
Serbia has maintained relatively friendly relations with Russia despite Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy said he planned talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Prime Minister Đuro Macut.
The discussions are expected to cover economic relations, Serbia’s relationship with the European Union and security issues.
As Russian strikes continue and Ukraine faces pressure on its air defense systems, Kyiv is seeking more international support to protect its cities and civilian population.
