KYIV: A new wave of Russian drone and missile attacks overnight has killed at least 12 people and injured many more across Ukraine, according to emergency services and regional officials.
Among the victims were three children in Zhytomyr, located west of Kyiv, and a man in his 70s in the southern city of Mykolaiv, the State Emergency Service (DSNS) reported.
The strikes follow one of the heaviest bombardments on Kyiv since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. On Saturday, 13 people were killed in similar attacks, even as diplomatic efforts continue, including prisoner swaps. However, Moscow has so far dismissed calls for a ceasefire.
Russia currently occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, which was annexed in 2014, according to BBC.
Ukraine’s air force stated it had intercepted 45 cruise missiles and taken down 266 drones since 8:40 PM local time (17:40 GMT) on Saturday. The overnight assault impacted most regions, with missile or drone strikes recorded in 22 areas and debris falling in 15.
In the Khmelnytskyi region, four people were killed and five injured, said regional head Serhiy Tyurin. He noted that six houses were destroyed and 20 more damaged.
In the Kyiv region, four people—including three children—were killed, and 16 others were injured, according to DSNS. Regional head Mykola Kalashnyk shared images of burning homes caused by the strikes.
In the capital, authorities reported 11 injuries and multiple fires. Several residential buildings, including a dormitory, were damaged. Many residents sought shelter in underground metro stations as the city prepares to celebrate its annual Kyiv Day holiday on Sunday.
Zhytomyr authorities confirmed that children aged 8, 12, and 17 died, 10 others were injured, and several homes were destroyed or damaged in the attack.
In Mykolaiv, an elderly man’s body was recovered from a drone-hit five-storey building. Five others were hurt. Three injuries were also reported in Kharkiv.
Meanwhile, Russia’s defense ministry claimed that Ukrainian drones had targeted eight regions within its territory.
(Inputs from BBC)
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