Massive Strikes on Ukraine and Russia: Civilians Killed, Facilities Damaged

Russia unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones on Ukrainian cities, striking Odesa and Dnipro and causing significant damage to civilian infrastructure and numerous casualties. The Ukrainian military reported that Russia deployed 524 drones and 22 missiles in attacks that began Sunday morning and continued overnight, following a major Ukrainian drone assault on Moscow over the weekend.

In Dnipro, 22 people were wounded, including two children, and residential blocks, a church institution, and university buildings sustained damage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, stating on X, "Russia relies on ballistic missiles to target people, and that is precisely why we in Europe must do everything possible to ensure reliable protection against this." Several of Naftogaz, Ukraine's energy company, facilities were hit by Russian drones in the region.

Odesa also suffered damage to residential buildings, a school, and a shelter, with an 11-year-old boy among the injured. Three ships in the Black Sea, including one flying a Chinese flag, were also hit. Meanwhile, Ukraine reportedly targeted Russia's southern Rostov and Belgorod regions with drones overnight. Russia's Defense Ministry stated that two people died in Belgorod during the Ukrainian attacks, adding to at least four deaths reported from earlier Ukrainian strikes over the weekend, particularly in the Moscow region.

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Russia relies on ballistic missiles to target people, and that is precisely why we in Europe must do everything possible to ensure reliable protection against this.