Russian Strikes Near Kyiv Kill Three, Including a Child
Al Jazeera Staff
Russian airstrikes on Kyiv's outskirts killed three people, including a child, as fires erupted in the capital. The U.S. Senate passed new sanctions targeting Russian energy exports, while Kyiv pleaded for more air defense systems to counter escalating missile attacks.
According to Ukrainian officials, Russian airstrikes killed three people, including a child, in the area surrounding the capital Kyiv, as explosions shook the city and fires broke out in multiple locations.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of the regional administration, said the attacks targeted three sites in Boryspil district, just outside Kyiv, on Saturday. Three other people were injured in the incident.
This is the latest development in Russia's campaign of strikes that Ukraine's weakening air defense systems are increasingly struggling to intercept, highlighting the growing gap between Russia's ability to strike Ukrainian cities and Kyiv's interception capability.
Fires broke out in two districts of the capital after air raid sirens sounded early Saturday morning. Residents in central Kyiv described large explosions shaking nearby buildings.
Russian ballistic missiles travel at several times the speed of sound and plunge directly toward their targets, leaving Ukrainian air defense forces often only seconds to react. The U.S.-provided Patriot system remains the only weapon in Ukraine's arsenal with reliable interception capability. Kyiv officials say they are severely short of launchers and interceptor missiles to effectively protect cities.
Earlier this week, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine received only a third of the air defense missiles in the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2025. He attributed the shortfall to America's conflict with Iran, which has depleted global interceptor missile stockpiles.
Ukrainian government advisers estimate Russia can now launch about 100 ballistic missiles per month, and officials warn that Moscow is preparing to intensify its campaign as winter approaches.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to target sites deep inside Russian territory, including two oil refineries in the past 24 hours. Kyiv also launched long-range drones to strike a warehouse of the online retailer Wildberries in the city of Yekaterinburg. The attacks on Wildberries are part of a campaign targeting logistics facilities believed to support the Russian military.
On Friday, the Russia-installed governor of Crimea said two people were killed when a Ukrainian drone hit an apartment building.
The same day, the U.S. Senate passed a new sanctions bill targeting Russia's energy exports, including a 100% tariff on countries that still purchase Russian oil and gas. The bill passed 86-11 and is named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who had advocated for strong measures against Russia.
The bill now requires approval from the House of Representatives and President Donald Trump's signature to become law. President Zelenskyy welcomed the vote, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the move would help “drain the resources for Russia to continue a war they cannot win.”
