At least three people, including a child, were killed when Russian missile strikes hit the eastern outskirts of Kiev overnight. Residents heard powerful explosions and saw debris fall, damaging apartment buildings and cars before setting a nearby structure ablaze.
A city emergency official, Timur Tkachenko, reported that a fire erupted in a separate building and that other injuries were reported as well. Mayor Vitaly Klitchko posted on Telegram that emergency crews were battling flames at a fuel tank and a business in the city.
The Ukrainian state emergency service DSNS shared photos of burning garages and a business, stating that the number of victims is still being clarified. The latest strike adds to the death toll, which had risen sharply with the previous wave of attacks that killed 21 people.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has travelled to Serbia for a diplomatic tour. He raised alarm that the country’s capacity to fend off Russian missiles is eroding due to depleted interceptor stocks. Zelensky warned that delays in receiving anti-ballistic systems are “horrific” and that stronger interceptors could have saved lives during recent deadly assaults.
In contrast, Kyiv’s military officials announced that supplies of interceptors from European allies have been drastically reduced this year. The President also accused Moscow of using oil revenues to fund the war, prompting Ukraine to counter with attacks on two Russian oil refineries and naval vessels in the Black Sea.
All these events highlight the escalating crisis and the urgent need for international support to protect civilians suffering the brunt of these missile campaigns.
