Russian attacks kill 4 in Ukraine, including 3-year-old, as defences fall short

On Saturday, Russian attacks in Ukraine claimed four lives, including a three-year-old child, as Kyiv's defenses struggled to counter a barrage of drones and missiles. The Brovary district of Kyiv's region was hit hard, with multiple drones destroying the home of two grandparents and their young grandson, killing everyone inside.

Three additional family members and a neighbor who rushed to their aid sustained injuries and were hospitalized. The house was reduced to rubble, along with outbuildings and vehicles. In Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported at least one more casualty from a strike involving six ballistic missiles targeting civilian infrastructure.

Ukrainian air defenses managed to intercept or destroy 135 out of 151 Russian drones overnight, alongside six ballistic and other guided missiles. Despite Moscow's claim of targeting only military facilities, Ukraine's air force has consistently targeted civilian areas, taking advantage of the scarcity of interceptor weapons. President Zelensky has called for more sanctions to curb the production of ballistic missiles and urged for Patriot ammunition or Starlink satellite guidance systems to counter Russian missile launchers.

In Russia, a fire at an oil refinery in the Krasnodar region left five people injured after debris from a falling drone caused the blaze. Ukraine's frequent long-range drone and missile strikes targeting Russian oil facilities have contributed to a fuel shortage, causing embarrassment for the Kremlin. The latest strikes occurred shortly after Zelensky's arrival in Serbia for his first official visit, a rare diplomatic gesture from a European nation maintaining amicable relations with Russia amidst the ongoing invasion.