Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that at least 11 people were killed in Russian strikes on Wednesday. The strikes hit various locations across the country, including the north, where a missile destroyed an apartment block in the Chernigiv region. Emergency services were working to pick through the rubble of the destroyed five-storey building in Pryluky, with concerns that the death toll could rise.
The Ukrainian president said there may still be people under the rubble of the destroyed building, and first responders were working to find every person. In addition to the five killed in the apartment block, two people were killed when missiles hit high-rise buildings in Dnipro and Kremenchuk in central Ukraine. Two others lost their lives in Oleksandriya, and two people were killed in the capital, Kyiv.
President Zelensky had warned the public on Tuesday night that Russia was planning "massive" strikes, particularly against the country's energy infrastructure. He described the strikes as "one of the most vile" in the nearly five-year conflict. The renewed attacks had triggered scheduled power cuts on Tuesday, which plunged parts of Kyiv into darkness to ease the pressure on the battered grid.
Kyiv has come under increased attack in recent weeks as winter approaches, with air raid sirens wailing nearly constantly to warn of incoming Russian strikes. Residents hunkered down in subway stations overnight, bringing duffel bags, sleeping mats, and blankets. Iryna Rybalchenko, a bank worker, said the whole of Kyiv was in a state of fear, with everyone messaging each other to be careful.
Russia launched at least 50 missiles and 130 drones overnight against several regions, including Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Poltava, Ukraine's air force said. Although some were shot down, President Zelensky said ballistic missiles were "the greatest challenge", and new air defences were "a vital necessity" to help Ukraine defend itself.
The air force said it intercepted five ballistic missiles, as well as 39 cruise missiles and over 100 drones. Ukraine has been struggling to down the new and fast-moving jet-powered drones, as well as the ballistic missiles that are harder to intercept. Kyiv mayor Vitaly Klitschko had warned last week that the capital should now be on a war footing as the enemy was "tearing Kyiv apart" with strikes on bridges and energy infrastructure.
President Zelensky said the military was "ready to respond, to the extent that our defence systems allow". The strikes have caused significant concern, with Daria Medvedeva, a 36-year-old resident, telling AFP that her children were "absolutely terrified" by the heavy shelling, and they try to head underground whenever it happens.
Key points
- At least 11 people killed in Russian strikes across Ukraine.
- Russian strikes hit various locations, including Kyiv, Dnipro, and Kremenchuk.
- Ukraine struggles to down new and fast-moving jet-powered drones and ballistic missiles.
