At least eight people have been killed, including a 12-year-old girl, in Kyiv after Russia launched a massive overnight drone and missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital and other regions.
According to Ukraine’s emergencies service DSNS, the victims’ bodies were pulled from the rubble of a partially destroyed apartment building in Kyiv, where rescuers were still searching for at least 20 people feared missing, saying 45 people, including two children, were injured, as Friday had been declared a day of mourning in the city.
It was the third day in a row Ukraine had reported deaths, as Moscow ramps up its assault after a three-day ceasefire expired on Monday.
The President of Ukraine, Volodomyr Zelensky said that the overnight barrage saw more than 670 drones and 56 missiles targeting the country.
’’This is among the largest attacks Russia has mounted since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022’’.
Zelensky added that, the strikes hit more than 180 sites across Ukraine, including more than 50 residential buildings.
He said a total of more than 1,560 Russian drones had targeted Ukrainian cities since Tuesday night, describing Moscow’s assault as “definitely not the actions of those who believed the war was coming to an end” and urging allies to hold Moscow accountable.
After an urgent meeting with Ukraine’s top military and security officials, Zelensky said a “significant number” of drones were shot down, with an “overall interception rate” of 93%.
BBC/Taiwo Akinola
