KYIV: At least three people, including a child, were killed and three others wounded in overnight Russian ballistic missile strikes near Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said on Saturday, as attacks between Russia and Ukraine intensified following faltering mediation efforts.
Timur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv regional military administration, said the strikes hit areas east of the capital in the early hours of Saturday.
Falling missile debris damaged apartment buildings and cars, while fires broke out at several locations, he said.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said emergency crews were battling fires at a building and a fuel tank in the capital.
Ukraine’s State Emergency Service (DSNS) released images showing garages, a business and a building engulfed in flames in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district. Authorities said the number of casualties was still being assessed.
The strikes came days after Russian attacks across Ukraine killed 21 people.
Zelensky Visits Serbia
The latest attacks coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s arrival in Belgrade for his first visit to Serbia.
Zelensky is scheduled to meet Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to discuss economic ties, security and Serbia’s relations with the European Union.
Zelensky is seeking to broaden international support for Ukraine, although Serbia has maintained close ties with Russia and has declined to impose sanctions on Moscow.
Serbia, which is seeking EU membership, has provided humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and pledged to support reconstruction efforts after the war.
Ukraine Seeks More Air Defence
Earlier this week, Zelensky said delays in deliveries of anti-ballistic missile systems from Ukraine’s international partners had contributed to “horrific casualties and destruction”.
He said stronger interceptor capabilities could have saved lives during recent Russian attacks and later said supplies of interceptors from allies had been “significantly reduced” this year.
Ukraine has also stepped up attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. Zelensky said Ukrainian forces recently struck two oil refineries deep inside Russia as well as Moscow-linked vessels in the Black Sea, describing the operations as an effort to reduce oil revenues used to finance Russia’s war effort.
Recent mediation efforts between Moscow and Kyiv have stalled, with both sides continuing to exchange attacks and showing little sign of an immediate breakthrough in negotiations.
