In a move that surprises absolutely no one, Russia launched ballistic missile attacks near Kyiv in the early hours of Saturday, killing at least three people, including a child. Timur Tkachenko, head of the regional military administration, reported that three more were wounded, while falling debris damaged apartment buildings and cars, and a fire broke out at a separate building. Mayor Vitali Klitchko, ever the Telegram enthusiast, shared that emergency crews were also battling fires at a building and a fuel tank in the capital.

The Ukrainian state emergency service DSNS, clearly having a busy morning, posted photos of garages, a business, and another building on fire, noting that the number of victims was still being clarified. Because when you're under missile attack, clarity is a luxury.

Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky decided to take a break from the rubble to visit Belgrade for the first time, hoping to charm Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić into discussing economic ties, security, and EU relations. Good luck with that - Vučić has refused to slap sanctions on Russia, though he has offered aid and promised to help rebuild Ukraine after the war. Because nothing says 'reconstruction' like not punishing the people who did the destroying.

Zelensky, who earlier this week lamented that delays in receiving anti-ballistic systems lead to 'horrific casualties and destruction,' also noted that the supply of interceptors from allies has been 'significantly reduced' this year. Apparently, allies thought Ukraine was doing just fine with the missiles raining down.

In a related act of defiance, Ukraine hit two oil refineries deep inside Russia - the Ilsky and Syzran refineries - causing fires at both, according to the Ukrainian general staff. Zelensky explained this was to limit Russia's oil revenues, which fund the war. Because if there's one thing Russia loves, it's losing money on its hobbies.

And with mediation talks between Ukraine and Russia going absolutely nowhere, both sides have escalated attacks, ensuring the cycle of violence continues. But hey, at least the fires are photogenic.