Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
Russian missile strikes killed four people, including a child, in the Kyiv region on Saturday, local authorities said, as an air raid alert was declared in and around the Ukrainian capital.
The attack came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Belgrade on a landmark visit to Serbia — a country with close ties to Moscow.
Strikes on the Capital
Firefighters worked through the aftermath of Russian ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv, extinguishing fires caused by the barrage, according to images released by the Ukrainian State Emergency Service.
Local authorities confirmed that the overnight and early-morning assault claimed the lives of four civilians, among them a child. An air raid alert remained in effect across the capital and surrounding areas as residents sought shelter.
Civilians ‘Struggling to Survive’
Russia has continued to target Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, making daily life increasingly difficult for residents across several towns and cities, according to FRANCE 24’s Emmanuelle Chaze, reporting from the eastern city of Kharkiv.
« At night people are simply struggling to survive such strikes because Ukrainian air defence struggles to stop Russian missile, » Chaze explained. « Ukraine has a very good record at stopping Russian drones, but the situation hasn’t improved when it comes to stopping Russian missiles. »
Zelensky’s Visit to Serbia
The strikes coincided with President Zelensky’s arrival in Belgrade for a landmark visit to Serbia — a notable diplomatic move given the country’s historically close relationship with Moscow. The visit signals Ukraine’s continued efforts to engage with nations that have maintained ties to Russia throughout the conflict.
Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Refineries
Kyiv said Ukrainian forces struck two Russian oil refineries, marking another in a series of Ukrainian operations targeting Russian energy infrastructure as the war continues on multiple fronts.
Russia Claims Strike on Weapons-Carrying Vessel
A Russian military drone struck a cargo ship carrying weapons for the Ukrainian armed forces in the Black Sea east of Odesa on August 7, the Interfax news agency reported on Saturday, citing Russia’s Defence Ministry.
The report did not give details of any damage. Reuters was not immediately able to verify the claim, and there was no immediate comment from Ukraine.
Sources: Ukrainian State Emergency Service, AFP, Interfax, Reuters, FRANCE 24