Russia hammered civilian areas of Ukraine with tons of of drones and dozens of missiles in an attack that stretched for hours from daytime into the night, killing no less than 16 people and wounding greater than 100 others as terrified residents cowered of their homes, officials said Thursday.
Russia launched nearly 700 drones and dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles, primarily targeting civilians, in its biggest aerial barrage in almost two weeks, authorities said.
Tetiana Sokol, a 54-year-old resident of Kyiv, said two missiles hit near her home and he or she took cover along with her dog within the hallway as flashes lit up the night and windows shattered from the blast wave.
“On the third attack every thing broke, every thing flew, we were shocked, we didn’t know where to run. I grabbed whatever got here handy and ran away with the dog,” she told The Associated Press. “I still can’t find the cats in the home, they climbed out somewhere, I don’t even know. No windows, nothing, the dog remains to be walking around in stress.”
Moscow’s forces have hit civilian areas almost day by day since its all-out invasion of its neighbor greater than 4 years ago, with the regular assaults occasionally punctuated by massive attacks. Greater than 15,000 Ukrainian civilians have died within the strikes, the United Nations says.
The Russian Defense Ministry said the operation was launched “in retaliation” for Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russia, where long-range drones and missiles have hit Russian oil refineries and war-related ma
European Council President António Costa described it as “one more horrendous attack” while people slept of their homes.
Zelenskyy on a mission to enhance air defenses
The newest bombardment got here within the wake of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s 48-hour trip this week to Germany, Norway and Italy in an urgent seek for more air defense systems that may stop Russian missiles.
Ukraine has developed a significant domestic arms industry, especially within the production of drones and missiles, but it may possibly’t yet match the sophistication of U.S. Patriot air defense systems. Ukraine’s top diplomatic priority is securing allies’ help to purchase and construct more and higher air defenses, Zelenskyy said this week.
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Money-strapped Ukraine also needs the speedy disbursement of a promised loan from the European Union of 90 billion euros ($106 billion) that has been blocked by Hungary.
Money-strapped Ukraine also needs the speedy disbursement of a promised loan from the European Union of 90 billion euros ($106 billion) that has been blocked by Hungary.
Ukraine fears the Iran war is burning through stockpiles of the advanced American-made systems it needs, and has argued against a U.S. temporary waiver on Russian oil sanctions that Kyiv says helps finance the Kremlin’s war effort.
“One other night has proven that Russia doesn’t deserve any easing of worldwide policy or lifting of sanctions,” Zelenskyy said on X.
He thanked Germany, Norway and Italy for brand spanking new agreements this week on supporting Ukraine’s air defense. Officials are also working with the Netherlands on additional supplies, he said.
At the identical time, he noted that some partner countries haven’t followed through on pledges of military support.
“I even have instructed the Commander of the Air Force to contact those partners who earlier committed to providing missiles for Patriot and other systems,” Zelenskyy said.
Other areas of Ukraine and Russia were also hit
The bombardment was the largest in weeks. Last month, Russia fired 948 drones and 34 missiles within the space of 24 hours in the biggest assault of the war on civilian areas.
A minimum of 4 people were killed overnight in Kyiv, including a 12-year-old, with greater than 50 others injured, based on authorities. Officials said the attack damaged 17 apartment buildings, 10 private homes, in addition to a hotel, office center, automobile dealership, gas station and a shopping center within the capital.
Nine people were killed and 23 injured within the southern port city of Odesa, three women were killed and around three dozen injured within the central Dnipro region, and one person was killed in Zaporizhzhia within the south.
“Such attacks can’t be normalized. These are war crimes that have to be stopped and their perpetrators held to account,” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on X.
Ukraine’s air force said air defenses shot down or disabled 667 out of 703 incoming targets, including 636 Shahed-type drones and other uncrewed aerial vehicles.
It said 20 strike drones and 12 missiles hit 26 locations.
Meanwhile in Russia, Krasnodar regional Gov. Veniamin Kondratyev reported that a 14-year-old girl and a girl were killed in Ukrainian strikes within the Black Sea port of Tuapse.
He said that attacks damaged six apartment buildings, 24 private houses and three schools. Drone fragments also fell near Tuapse.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said that its air defenses downed 207 Ukrainian drones overnight.
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