Russia launched a missile strike on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, early Thursday, resulting in the deaths of two people, including a teenager, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service. The attack occurred just hours before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s scheduled visit to Kyiv to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Meeting Amidst Tensions

Starmer and Zelensky are expected to discuss the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, including the UK’s efforts to support Ukraine both militarily and diplomatically. Starmer expressed his pride in Britain’s contributions to the cause, stating that the work will continue and that the UK’s support for Ukraine will endure.

The strike came after Zelensky dismissed Ukraine’s defense minister, Mykhaylo Fedorov, in a government reshuffle. Fedorov led Ukraine’s war effort and praised his team’s achievements during his tenure, including the development of Ukraine’s drone program and air defenses.

Ukraine has been making significant strides in its drone campaign, with hundreds of drones being launched in a single night, targeting oil refineries, naval vessels, and weapons. This has forced Moscow to suspend traffic through the gateway to the Black Sea, limiting the Kremlin’s ability to trade with the rest of the world.

Despite these advancements, Ukraine is still feeling the effects of the war. June was the deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians since April 2022, with long-range Russian missiles being fired into urban residential buildings. Zelensky has repeatedly asked allies for more support in bolstering Ukraine’s depleted air defenses.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.