At least nine killed in massive Russian strikes across Ukraine
by AFP, https://www.thejournal.ie/author/afp/ · TheJournal.ieAT LEAST NINE people have been killed and dozens have been wounded by a barrage of Russian missiles across Ukraine, just days after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Moscow was preparing a “massive new strike”.
Several explosions were heard in Kyiv, where local authorities said Russia struck with ballistic missiles, setting off fires and cutting power in several districts.
The city’s mayor Vitali Klitschko said four people were killed and at least 58, including two children, wounded in the “mass enemy attack” .
“Explosions in the city. Air defence forces are working! Stay in shelters!” Klitschko had warned on social media earlier.
Residents rushed to shelters clutching bags and blankets, as a large plume of smoke emanated from Kyiv’s city centre.
Advertisement
“The enemy is striking with ballistic missiles,” Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv’s City Military Administration, said.
Deadly strikes, involving both missiles and drones, were also reported elsewhere.
In the city of Dnipro, local governor Oleksandr Ganzha said a Russian attack killed five people and wounded 25 others – three of whom were in serious condition.
Ten people, including a child, were wounded in the city of Kharkiv, according to the mayor, Igor Terekhov.
‘Protect your lives’
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone strike killed one person in Russia’s Kursk region, near the Ukrainian border, regional governor Alexander Khinshtein said.
Another drone sparked a fire at an oil refinery in the southwestern city of Krasnodar, its operational headquarters said on Telegram.
The strikes on Ukraine came after Zelenskyy said on Friday “we have intelligence information about Russia preparing a new massive strike” and called for people to “protect your lives”.
Related Reads
Ukraine launches fresh strikes on Russian energy targets but denies hitting nuclear plant
EU and Nato condemn 'reckless' Russia after drone hits apartment block in Romania
EU leaders condemn Russia's use of nuclear-capable missile in massive attacks killing four
“Please pay attention to air alerts, protect your lives. Our services are working efficiently and are prepared; the Air Force and other defenders of our skies will be on duty 24/7, as always.”
The Ukrainian president has reiterated his call to allies to allow and finance the supply of Patriot missiles, which can intercept Russian ballistic missiles.
He wrote to US President Donald Trump and the US Congress last week asking for Patriot systems to respond to the intensifying Russian air attacks.
Ukraine has also stepped up its strikes on occupied territories and on Russia in retaliation for the daily Russian bombardments.
Russia launched a record 8,150 long-range drones at Ukraine in May, an AFP analysis of Ukrainian air force data showed, up 24% from April.
Kyiv intercepted about 90% of all incoming drones and missiles in May, according to air force data.