Massive Russian strike on Ukraine regions leaves 13 dead, Zelenskyy says

Russian forces have carried out a large-scale attack on Ukrainian cities and communities, resulting in 11 deaths, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated.

In a post on Telegram, he said more than 500 personnel from the State Emergency Service have been deployed to deal with the aftermath of the overnight Russian attack, Caliber.Az reports.

Zelenskyy noted that the main strike targeted Kyiv, where dozens of residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were damaged.

He reported four deaths in the capital and said 38 injured people are currently receiving medical treatment in hospitals.

"In Dnipro, search and rescue operations are continuing at the site of a four-storey residential building, part of which was destroyed in the attack. Nine people were killed there, including a child, while 35 others were injured. Six people remain missing," he stressed.

He added that Russian strikes also targeted energy infrastructure in Kharkiv region and critical infrastructure in Kharkiv, as well as Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Poltava, Sumy, Chernihiv and Khmelnytsky regions.

According to Zelenskyy, a total of 656 strike drones and 73 missiles of various types were launched overnight, including ballistic, cruise and anti-ship missiles.

He said the attack demonstrated the need for stronger air defence support, including anti-ballistic systems and additional interceptor missiles for Patriot systems, calling on partners to provide further assistance.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov