Raging Putin blasts Ukraine with deadly ballistic missile rampage on Kyiv

Putin launched a deadly assault on Kyiv and the surrounding region with ballistic missiles, killing four people, including a child, according to local officials.

Two grandparents and their three-year-old grandson were killed after multiple Russian drones destroyed their home in the Brovary district of Kyiv, early on Saturday morning. Three members of the same family and a neighbor who came to help were hospitalized, according to local authorities.

Their house was reduced to rubble, while outbuildings and cars were wrecked in the strike. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at least one other person died in a “strike involving six ballistic missiles against civilian infrastructure”.

In its daily report, the Ukrainian air force said it had downed or intercepted 135 of 151 drones launched by Russia overnight. The deadly attack also involved six ballistic missiles and other guided missiles.

Moscow has been exploiting Ukraine’s shortage of interceptors for the Patriot systems, the only air defence weapon it owns that is able to intercept and shoot down ballistic missiles.

Zelensky has pleaded with other countries, particularly the US, to send more interceptors – which have now become a rare commodity thanks to the Iran war.

Following the rampage this weekend, Ukraine’s president took to X to appeal for more sanctions in a bid to “prevent the production of these ballistic missiles”, along with “anti ballistic capabilities and “interceptor missiles”. Speaking on the weekend attacks, Zelensky described it as tragic that a three-year-old boy had his life taken.

“Four more people were taken to hospital – the child’s parents, his 15-year-old brother, and a neighbour who came to help the family and was wounded in a repeated strike,” Zelensky said.

“The victims suffered burns and shrapnel wounds. My condolences. It was an ordinary residential home. The Russians could not have been unaware of that.

“There was also a strike involving six ballistic missiles on civilian infrastructure in Kyiv. So far, one person is known to have been killed.”

He continued: “Europe, America and Ukraine have long wanted to stop this Russian war. Only Putin does not, and he is clinging with all his might to his ballistic missiles and drones in order to keep fighting. More pressure is needed. New sanctions that will prevent the production of these ballistic missiles. And we certainly need more protection for our people.”