Overnight strikes kill three and injure others as Ukraine renews calls for more air-defence support
At least three people, including a child, have been killed in overnight Russian missile attacks near Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, according to local officials.
Another three people were injured after ballistic missiles struck areas east of Kyiv, according to Timur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv regional military administration.
The latest attacks come days after another Russian strike killed 21 people, as Moscow continues to intensify its aerial campaign against Ukraine.
Ukraine seeks more Patriot missiles
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has renewed calls for additional US-made Patriot interceptor missiles, saying his country does not have enough air-defence systems to protect its cities from Russian attacks.
Zelensky said the supply of interceptor missiles from Ukraine’s allies had been significantly reduced this year.
He has also called for additional financial support to increase Ukraine’s domestic production of defensive weapons.
The Ukrainian president said his country could not match Russia’s financial resources for the war and therefore needed continued assistance from European countries and other allies.
Trump’s Ukraine policy
Zelensky’s appeal comes amid changes to US policy towards the war under President Donald Trump.
Since returning to office, Trump has reduced direct US military assistance to Ukraine. European countries have instead been purchasing US-made military equipment, including Patriot missiles, before supplying them to Ukraine.
Trump has also attempted to negotiate an end to the conflict, although recent efforts have failed to prevent renewed escalation between Russia and Ukraine.
Zelensky visits Serbia
The Ukrainian president made his first visit to Serbia during the latest diplomatic push to strengthen support for Kyiv.
Zelensky met Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade to discuss security, economic relations and Ukraine’s efforts to join the European Union.
Vučić, who maintains close relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has refused to impose sanctions on Moscow. However, Serbia has provided assistance to Ukraine and has pledged to contribute to the country’s reconstruction after the war.
Ukraine strikes Russian targets
As Russia continues its attacks, Ukraine has also stepped up long-range strikes against targets inside Russian territory.
Ukraine’s military said it struck the Ilsky and Syzran oil refineries during overnight attacks, causing fires at both facilities.
Ukrainian officials have said attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure are aimed at reducing oil revenues that Moscow uses to finance its war effort.
Conflict threatens wider region
The war has also raised concerns about the conflict spreading beyond Ukraine’s borders.
On Saturday, a drone entered Bulgarian airspace and exploded near an international gas pipeline after crossing from Romania. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said the drone was carrying a significant amount of explosives, although no casualties or damage were reported.
Bulgaria’s defence ministry said the aircraft appeared to be a Maya decoy drone commonly used by Ukraine.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry said its armed forces had not intentionally directed any assets towards Bulgaria, while stopping short of confirming whether the drone was Ukrainian.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, and despite diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, fighting and long-range attacks continue.
