At least three people, including a child, have been killed in overnight Russian missile attacks near the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, according to reports, and In the early hours of Saturday, missiles hit east of the capital, with witnesses reporting powerful explosions. A fire broke out at a separate building, and falling debris damaged apartment buildings and cars, regional military administrator Timur Tkachenko said — he added that three others had been wounded in the ballistic missile strikes. Emergency crews were also fighting fires at a building and fuel tank in Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitchko reported on Telegram.

Damage and Response

Ukraine’s State Emergency Service shared photos showing garages, a business, and a building on fire in Kyiv, but the agency added that the number of victims is being clarified. President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Serbia for his first visit since raising concerns about Ukraine’s ability to defend against Russian missile attacks; Zelensky cited depleting interceptor stockpiles and delays in receiving anti-ballistic systems from partners, which he said lead to “horrific casualties and destruction.”

Missile Defense and Military Actions

Zelensky said that having a stronger interceptor capability “could have saved lives” in recent deadly assaults. He added that the supply of interceptors from allies has been “significantly reduced” this year. These comments come after Ukraine conducted strikes on two oil refineries deep inside Russia and Moscow-linked vessels in the Black Sea. Zelensky said the attacks were intended to limit oil revenues used by Russia to “finance” its war in Ukraine.

Recent Escalation

Recent mediation talks between the two sides have stalled, leading to an escalation of attacks. In a separate incident, Russia reported that seven people were killed and 40 injured by a Ukrainian drone that hit a popular beach near the village of Arkhipo-Osipovka on the Black Sea. Russia accused Ukraine of “a deliberate strike on civilians.” Ukraine has not commented on the claim. Both sides deny targeting civilians deliberately.

It is unclear what the drone was targeting. Some Ukrainian Telegram channels claimed it crashed onto the beach due to electronic warfare jamming the drone’s signal. Russian media quoted several eyewitnesses saying gunfire preceded the explosion, suggesting air defenses may have tried to shoot the drone down. Witnesses told local media that no sirens sounded before the drone attack. One holidaymaker said they covered themselves with sun loungers and did not see where the explosion occurred. Another person reported hearing “gunfire, like a machine gun” before the explosion. A third person said the event happened in front of their children, leading to a “nervous breakdown.”

Arkhipo-Osipovka is a popular holiday destination for Russians due to its warm climate, long beaches, and developed tourist infrastructure. The incident has drawn international attention, as it follows a series of strikes by Ukraine into Russia that have resulted in civilian deaths. Over the past year, Ukraine has carried out long-range strikes deep into Russia, targeting energy infrastructure and commercial warehouses it says are used for military purposes. These strikes have caused civilian deaths, with eight people in different Russian cities killed at the weekend.

In a separate incident, a warehouse facility was hit by drones near Russia’s second-largest city, St. Petersburg, regional governor Alexander Drozdenko said. He did not provide the name of the facility.