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AP, KYIV
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Russia hammered civilian areas of Ukraine with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in an attack that stretched for hours from daytime into the night, killing at least 16 people and injuring more than 80 others, officials said yesterday.
Russia launched nearly 700 drones, and dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles, primarily targeting civilians, in its biggest aerial barrage in almost two weeks, authorities said.
Moscow’s forces have hit civilian areas almost daily since its all-out invasion of its neighbor more than four years ago, with the regular assaults occasionally punctuated by massive attacks.
Smoke rises above buildings following an airstrike in Kyiv yesterday.
Photo: AFP
The latest bombardment came in the wake of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s 48-hour trip this week to Germany, Norway and Italy in an urgent search for more air defense systems that can stop Russian missiles.
Ukraine has developed a significant domestic arms industry, especially in the production of drones and missiles, but it cannot yet match the sophistication of US Patriot air defense systems.
Ukraine’s top diplomatic priority is securing allies’ help to buy and build more and better air defenses, Zelenskiy said this week.
Cash-strapped Ukraine also needs the speedy disbursement of a promised loan from the EU of 90 billion euros (US$106 billion) that has been blocked by Hungary.
Ukraine fears the Iran war is burning through stockpiles of the advanced US-made systems it needs, and has argued against a US temporary waiver on Russian oil sanctions that Kyiv says is helping finance the Kremlin’s war effort.
“Another night has proven that Russia does not deserve any easing of global policy or lifting of sanctions,” Zelenskiy wrote on X.
He thanked Germany, Norway and Italy for new agreements this week on supporting Ukraine’s air defense.
Officials are also working with the Netherlands on additional supplies, he said.
At the same time, he said that some countries have not followed through on pledges of military support.
“I have instructed the commander of the air force to contact those partners who earlier committed to providing missiles for Patriot and other systems,” Zelenskiy said.
The Ukrainian Air Force said that air defenses shot down or disabled 667 out of 703 incoming targets in the latest attack.