Four killed as Russia launches major strikes on Kyiv and Kharkiv

Independent.co reports that at least four people have died in what Ukraine says was Russia's most intense aerial bombardment of the country so far this year, with major strikes hitting Kyiv and Kharkiv overnight. The Ukrainian air force said Russia launched at least 293 drones and 18 missiles; air defences shot down at least 240 drones and seven missiles.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said the main targets were energy generation facilities and substations across multiple regions, and accused Russia of striking a postal terminal in Kharkiv “without any military purpose whatsoever,” which he said killed four people. Ukrainian emergency services said the Kharkiv strike destroyed buildings and sparked fires across about 500 square metres and rescued at least 30 people, while DTEK reported heavy damage to equipment at a thermal power plant.

Officials also reported smaller attacks and injuries in Odesa and Kryvyi Rih, and Ukrenergo said emergency power cuts were being rolled out in Kyiv after damage to critical infrastructure. At an emergency UN Security Council meeting Russia was condemned for last week's hypersonic Oreshnik missile strike near Lviv, and Russia's UN ambassador warned negotiations would worsen unless Ukraine accepted Moscow's terms.

Key Topics

World, Russia, Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, Kharkiv, Kyiv