Russia missile and drone attacks kill 8, injure dozens across Ukraine

Russia launched a widespread assault across Ukraine using missiles, drones, and guided bombs, resulting in at least eight deaths and dozens of injuries, according to Ukrainian officials.

In the capital, Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that missiles struck the city, injuring 12 people, including two children. Air raid sirens sounded shortly after initial explosions were heard by Agence France-Presse reporters early in the morning.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on social media platform X that Russia deployed over 120 drones and 12 missiles, half of which were ballistic. He reiterated his call for increased military aid from allies to help Ukraine defend against the ongoing Russian invasion.

In the northern city of Sumy, five people, including a young girl, were killed by guided aerial bombs, according to Mayor Artem Kobzar. The eastern town of Sloviansk reported one fatality from a Russian attack, while two lives were lost in the southern city of Odesa due to missile strikes.

Zelenskyy acknowledged that air defense forces managed to intercept most targets but could not stop the ballistic missiles. Ukraine's air defense systems have been under significant strain due to the recent frequency of deadly attacks involving dozens of high-speed ballistic missiles since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

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Air defense forces managed to intercept most targets, but could not intercept ballistic missiles.