In brief
Late on the night before, ballistic missiles struck eastern areas of Kyiv, killing three civilians, one of whom was a child, and wounding three more. Ukrainian officials said the strike follows a deadly assault that left 21 people dead just days earlier. President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged allies for additional Patriot interceptor missiles, citing shortages in Ukraine’s defense stockpile. Russia continues a barrage of attacks while Ukraine seeks to offset its resources through international aid. The attacks highlight the high stakes and civilian toll of the ongoing war.
At least three civilians were killed, including a child, when Russian ballistic missiles struck areas east of Ukraine’s capital. The strike also injured three others. The assault followed a previous raid that left 21 dead, highlighting an escalating pattern as Russia presses its offensive while Ukraine’s stock of Western‑donated interceptor missiles dwindles.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, during his first visit to Serbia, called for more US‑made Patriot interceptor missiles, stressing that the supply they receive has been “significantly reduced” and that Ukraine’s financial resources cannot match Russia’s war budget.
Zelensky noted that Ukraine relies on European allies and other countries for defense aid, while “additional funding specifically for Ukrainian production is what is needed.” He referenced a promised licence from the United States to produce defensive systems, a pledge that President Donald Trump appeared to back off during the same trip.
The casualties underscore the war’s toll on civilians and the urgent need for increased air‑defence supplies. As Russia intensifies missile strikes, Ukraine continues to launch counter‑strikes deep into Russian territory, aiming to curb Russia’s oil revenues and reduce its capacity to finance the conflict.
