Russian Strikes Kill Four In Kyiv, Surrounding Region As Air Defences Fall Short

Four people, including a child, were killed in Russian drone and missile attacks targeting Kyiv and the surrounding region on Saturday, according to Ukrainian officials. The attacks came as Ukraine's air defences faced continued pressure from repeated Russian barrages. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at least one person was killed in Kyiv in a strike involving six ballistic missiles that hit civilian infrastructure.

In the Kyiv region's Brovary district, northeast of the capital, two grandparents and their three-year-old grandson were killed after Russian drones destroyed their home, local authorities said. Three other members of the family and a neighbour who came to assist were hospitalised. The attack also damaged nearby buildings, vehicles and other property, according to officials.

Ukraine's Air Force said it had downed or intercepted 135 of the 151 drones launched by Russia overnight. The assault also involved six ballistic missiles and other guided missiles. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly warned that the country's air-defence system is under strain, particularly because of shortages of interceptors for US-made Patriot systems, which are capable of countering ballistic missile threats.

Also Read: Kyiv Accuses Russia Of Using North Korean Missile Unit In Ukraine Offensive Operations

Zelenskyy has appealed to international partners, particularly the United States, for additional air-defence ammunition and systems. Following the latest attacks, he called for stronger sanctions aimed at restricting production of Russian ballistic missiles, as well as increased supplies of interceptor missiles and anti-ballistic defence capabilities. Ukraine's Defence Ministry said its forces had intercepted around 5,300 Russian drones and missiles during July, representing just under 60 per cent of the approximately 9,000 launched during the month.

The latest Russian attacks coincided with Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. In the southern Krasnodar region, five people were wounded after a fire broke out at the Ilsky Oil Refinery, with local officials attributing the incident to debris from a falling drone. Ukraine has carried out repeated long-range drone and missile strikes against Russian oil facilities, targeting infrastructure it considers important to Moscow's war effort.

The attacks came shortly after Zelenskyy arrived in Serbia on Friday for his first official visit to the country since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Zelenskyy said he was scheduled to meet Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister Djuro Macut. The discussions were expected to cover economic ties, Serbia's relationship with the European Union and security issues, as Kyiv continues diplomatic efforts amid the ongoing war.

Also Read: 10 Killed, Around 100 Injured In Russian Strike On Ukraine's Kyiv