3 weeks ago
Zelensky Visits Moscow-Friendly Serbia Amid Deadly Russian Strikes on Kyiv
Russia and Ukraine are two countries that have been fighting for a long time.
Recently, Russia attacked the capital city of Ukraine, Kyiv, with drones and missiles.
The attack killed four people, including a small child, and hurt many others.
Ukraine's leader, President Zelenskyy, traveled to a country called Serbia to ask for friendship and support.
Serbia is friendly with Russia, but its leader said Ukraine is also a friendly nation.
At the same time, Ukraine attacked fuel factories in Russia.
Ukraine says it does not have enough special missiles to stop Russia's rockets.
It wants to build its own protective missiles, but the permission paperwork from America is moving very slowly.
Both countries are telling very different stories about who is right.
Russian overnight strikes on Kyiv and the surrounding region killed four people, including a child.
Zelenskyy arrived in Belgrade on Friday for his first official visit to Serbia, and the first by a Ukrainian president in eight years.
A separate Russian drone attack in the Brovary district killed a 3-year-old child and his grandparents.
Ukraine's General Staff said its forces struck the Ilsky Oil Refinery in Krasnodar and the Syzran Oil Refinery in Samara region, where six people were wounded.
Ukraine's air force said it intercepted 135 of 151 drones launched by Russia overnight, and Zelenskyy said Patriot interceptor deliveries have slowed while US licensing to build them in Ukraine is stuck in paperwork.
- Who
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, and the armed forces of Russia and Ukraine.
- What
- Zelenskyy visited Serbia for diplomatic talks as Russia launched deadly overnight drone and missile attacks on Kyiv and Ukrainian forces struck Russian oil refineries.
- Where
- Kyiv and surrounding regions of Ukraine; Belgrade, Serbia; and the Krasnodar and Samara regions of Russia.
- When
- Strikes occurred overnight into Saturday, with Zelenskyy arriving in Belgrade on Friday.
- Why
- Zelenskyy sought to expand cooperation and EU-accession efforts while highlighting Ukraine's critical shortage of Patriot interceptors needed to counter Russia's missile barrages.
Ukraine and Western Allies
Russia and Serbia
Civilian Targeting
Ukraine and Western Allies
Ukraine says Russia deliberately pounds civilian areas and infrastructure with drones, ballistic missiles, and other guided missiles.
Russia and Serbia
Russia insists its forces target only military facilities, despite relentless attacks on civilian areas.
Serbia's Stance
Ukraine and Western Allies
The EU has pressured Serbia to change course for maintaining close ties with Moscow and refusing to sanction Russia over the invasion.
Russia and Serbia
Serbia keeps friendly relations with Russia, drawing pressure from the EU, while also calling Ukraine a friendly nation and respecting its territorial integrity.
Patriot Interceptor Production
Ukraine and Western Allies
Zelenskyy wants Ukraine to manufacture its own Patriot interceptors or receive more from the US, saying monthly supplies have declined in 2026.
Russia and Serbia
Washington has agreed to licensed production but the paperwork for licenses is taking a long time, slowing the process.
Key facts
- Ukrainian President
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy
- Serbian President
- Aleksandar Vucic
- Killed in Kyiv strikes
- 4 people, including a child
- Overnight Russian drones
- 151 launched, 135 intercepted or downed
- Russian refineries struck
- Ilsky (Krasnodar) and Syzran (Samara)
- Wounded at Ilsky refinery
- 6 people
- Ukrainian air defense tally last month
- About 5,300 of roughly 9,000 drones and missiles shot down (just under 60%)
- Patriot interceptors
- The sole weapon in Ukraine's arsenal able to shoot down ballistic missiles
Quotes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine
“There are fewer of these missiles in 2026. In 2025 there were more, I'll tell you honestly, in terms of monthly supplies.”
NDTV
“The situation in Ukraine is difficult. There were also attack drones.”
NDTV
Sources
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