Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russia's latest deadly missile and drone attacks on Kyiv during his first official visit to Serbia. The overnight strikes killed four people, including a child. Zelenskyy highlighted concerns over Ukraine's strained air defenses and the slowing supply of Patriot air defense missiles.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sharply criticized Russia's latest wave of deadly assaults on Kyiv and its surrounding region during his inaugural official visit to Serbia. The strikes, which occurred overnight, claimed the lives of four individuals, including a young child. This visit to Belgrade, a nation maintaining notably friendly relations with Moscow throughout the conflict, comes as Ukraine grapples with concerns over its depleted air defense capabilities.
Air Defense Concerns Mount
During a press conference alongside Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Zelenskyy detailed the severity of the attacks, which involved ballistic missiles and attack drones targeting civilian infrastructure. He expressed significant concern over the diminishing monthly supplies of Patriot air defense missiles, stating their availability had decreased since the previous year. "There are fewer of these missiles in 2026. In 2025, there were more, I'll tell you honestly, in terms of monthly supplies," Zelenskyy remarked, also noting delays in obtaining licenses for Ukraine to manufacture its own Patriot missiles.
The strikes hit a family home in the Brovary district northeast of Kyiv, killing a three-year-old boy and his grandparents, according to local officials. The attack reduced the house to rubble and damaged nearby properties. Another civilian was killed in the capital due to a separate ballistic missile strike on infrastructure. Ukraine's air force reported intercepting 135 out of 151 drones launched by Russia, alongside ballistic and other guided missiles.
Retaliatory Strikes on Russian Oil Facilities
Concurrently, Ukraine reported striking Russian oil facilities. In Russia's Krasnodar region, debris from a falling drone caused a fire at the Ilsky oil refinery, injuring six people. Ukraine's General Staff confirmed strikes on the Krasnodar refinery and another facility in Syzran, located deep within Russia. These actions underscore Ukraine's ongoing efforts to disrupt Russia's energy sector, which has been a target for months.
Zelenskyy urged international partners, particularly the United States, to expedite the delivery of more Patriot ammunition and other interceptor missiles. He also called for increased sanctions against Russia to curb its missile production capabilities. The recent attacks highlight Ukraine's dual challenge: defending its cities from relentless barrages and projecting force against critical Russian assets.