KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – Overnight missile and drone attacks launched by Russia on Ukraine resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals and injured 16 others, according to local officials. This violence particularly affected Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, where a ballistic missile attack early Saturday claimed the lives of two victims and wounded nine others.
Timur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv's city military administration, reported that the attacks caused significant destruction. In one incident, a fire broke out in a non-residential building, while debris from intercepted missiles fell in an open area, damaging nearby buildings' windows. Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the chaos on Telegram, stating, "Explosions in the capital. The city is under ballistic attack."
In addition to the violence in Kyiv, the Dnipropetrovsk region also experienced tragedy, where two more people were killed and seven injured. Acting regional Governor Vladyslav Haivanenko said various structures—including apartment buildings, private homes, shops, and a vehicle—were damaged in these strikes.
Ukraine's Air Force disclosed that Russia launched a total of nine missiles and 62 drones during the attacks. Defensive measures were effective, intercepting four missiles and 50 drones. Conversely, Russia's defense ministry claimed that its air defenses shot down 121 Ukrainian drones over its territory overnight.
The assaults occurred shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to the United States for an expansion of sanctions targeting Russian oil, aiming to shift from two specific companies to the entire sector. During his visit to London, Zelenskyy engaged with around two dozen European leaders who pledged military support to defend Ukraine against further Russian aggression, particularly if a ceasefire emerges from the ongoing three-year conflict.
The discussions, hosted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, focused on strategies to heighten pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin and sought to reinforce sanctions recently enacted by the United States and European nations against Russia's oil and gas revenue streams. The leaders also considered methods to assist Ukraine in safeguarding its power grid from Russia’s incessant drone and missile strikes as winter approaches.
Efforts to boost Ukrainian air defense capabilities and provide longer-range missile systems capable of hitting targets deep within Russia were critical topics during the talks. Zelenskyy notably urged the United States to supply Tomahawk missiles, a proposition that has been contemplated by U.S. President Donald Trump.
As the situation in Ukraine continues to evolve with increasing military tensions, the international community remains vigilant, watching how these developments may shape the future of both Ukraine and broader regional stability.
