Zelensky renews appeal for stronger air defences after deadly Kyiv strike

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday again urged international partners to supply more air-defence systems, a day after Russian strikes on Kyiv left seven people dead.

His renewed appeal followed a barrage of Russian missiles that hit residential buildings across the capital on Friday.

With the war nearing its fourth year, diplomatic efforts remain stalled, and concerns are mounting over Ukraine’s energy security ahead of another winter of conflict.

Authorities said four people were also killed on Saturday in Russian attacks on Ukraine’s southern region.

“Ukraine needs support that saves lives: more air-defence systems, more protective capabilities, and stronger resolve from our partners,” Zelensky wrote on social media.

Officials earlier confirmed that the death toll from Friday’s strike in Kyiv had climbed to seven after an elderly woman died in hospital.

Zelensky noted that one of the victims was Nataliia Khodemnchuk, the wife of a Chernobyl nuclear plant operator who perished in the 1986 disaster.

“Nearly four decades later, Nataliia was killed in a new tragedy once again caused by the Kremlin,” he said.

Other victims included a couple in their 70s and a 62-year-old.

Meanwhile, Ukraine said it had carried out a strike on a Russian oil refinery near Moscow.

The Ukrainian military reported hitting a refinery in the Ryazan region as part of efforts to reduce Russia’s capacity to launch missile and aerial attacks.

Ukraine has repeatedly targeted sites inside Russia with missiles and drones since the invasion began in 2022.

Ryazan governor Pavel Malkov said Russian air defences had intercepted 25 Ukrainian drones overnight. Falling debris ignited a fire at an industrial site, he added, but no casualties were reported.