At least 21 killed in long-range attacks in Russia and Ukraine; arms fair targeted near Kyiv

At least 21 people died in a series of attacks between Russia and Ukraine on Friday, with a strike on an arms fair near Kyiv drawing particular condemnation. Ukrainian authorities reported 10 deaths and hundreds injured from the attack on the fair, sparking outrage from defense industry figures and officials who criticized the event's organization during wartime.

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Under these war conditions, with such an enemy, it is completely unacceptable to hold arms exhibitions with large crowds, especially near residential areas.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the attack "Russian terror," stating on X that holding arms exhibitions with large crowds is "completely unacceptable" under current war conditions. His advisor, Serhiy Beskrestnov, also criticized organizers for failing to provide shelters and for promoting the event on social media. One resident, Natalia Perevalov, whose roof was damaged, expressed gratitude that her grandchildren were not present during the strike.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Telegram that the fair showcased Ukrainian and foreign drones, some of which they allege are used to attack civilian targets in Russia. This incident is the latest in a series of escalations between the two nations.

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Russian terror

Earlier Friday, a Ukrainian rocket attack on a factory in Kirov, over 1,000 kilometers from the border, killed six people, according to a Russian governor. Meanwhile, in the eastern Ukrainian city of Sloviansk, a Russian airstrike killed five people and injured nine, damaging residential buildings and the Latvian consulate, reported regional governor Vadym Filashkin. Ukraine maintains its long-range attacks are justified retaliation for Russia's near-daily missile and drone strikes since the February 2022 invasion.

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Just then, the grandchildren were not home. I thank God for that.