Child Among Three Killed in Russian Strikes Near Kyiv as Zelensky
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- Russia launched overnight ballistic missile strikes east of Kyiv, killing at least three people including a child and injuring three others, according to regional military administration head Timur.
- Volodymyr Zelensky issued a fresh call for more US-made Patriot interceptor missiles, saying current supplies are insufficient and that Ukraine specifically needs funding for domestic production.
- Donald Trump appeared to walk back a promise to grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot systems, even as his administration has scaled back direct military aid and left European allies to purchase expensive US supplies on Ukraine's behalf.
- Zelensky made his first trip to Serbia, meeting President Aleksandar Vučić to discuss EU accession and security ties, though Vučić — a Putin ally — has refused to impose sanctions on Russia.
- Ukraine's military struck Russia's Ilsky and Syzran oil refineries during overnight attacks, causing fires at both, with Zelensky saying the goal is to limit oil revenues Russia uses to 'finance' its war.
- Bulgaria's prime minister Rumen Radev said a drone carrying 'significant' explosives entered Bulgarian airspace and exploded near an international gas pipeline; its defence ministry identified it as a Maya decoy drone associated with Ukraine, though Kyiv said it did not intentionally target Bulgaria.
Why it matters: Russia is escalating strikes against Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure at the same moment Ukraine's interceptor stockpile — the only viable defense — is shrinking because Trump is withholding both direct aid and a manufacturing license, forcing European allies to foot a bill Ukraine cannot sustain on its own.
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