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Russia launches deadly wave of missile attacks on Ukraine cities Russia launches deadly wave of missile attacks on Ukraine cities
(about 4 hours later)
Woman and child die in Dnipro, while a missile strike on a residential building in Uman, south of Kyiv, kills four Woman and child die in Dnipro, while missile strikes in Uman, south of Kyiv, kill 10
Russia has launched a wave of missile attacks across many of Ukraine’s biggest cities, killing a mother and young child in the port city of Dnipro, and four people at a high-rise apartment building in the central city of Uman. Russian cruise missiles have killed at least 12 people in the central Ukrainian cities of Uman and Dnipro, days after Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, begged his allies for more air defence supplies.
Air raid alarms were active across the country in the early hours of Friday morning, while explosions were heard in Kyiv, and southern Mykolaiv was targeted again. The attacks were part of a wave of Russian missile and drone strikes in the early hours of Friday morning, the most intense bombing to hit the country in weeks.
The attack came less than 24 hours after four cruise missiles, apparently launched from the sea, hit civilian buildings in the city, killing at least one person and abruptly ending nearly four months of relative calm there. Footage from Uman, where at least 10 people were killed, showed a building in flames and partially reduced to rubble. One missile hit a building in Dnipro, killing a woman and a child, the city’s mayor said.
Footage from the central city of Uman, which has a large Jewish population and was a major pilgrimage destination before the war, showed a building in flames, and partially reduced to rubble. Authorities said the attack killed four and injured 17. Most of Russia’s attacks were intercepted, with 21 out of 23 missiles shot down by the Ukrainian military. The missiles that got through were a grim reminder of why the country is so vulnerable when Moscow aims its weapons at civilian targets.
Dnipro’s mayor said in a statement on Telegram that a woman and three-year-old child were killed in the attack. Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, tweeted: “Missile strikes killing innocent Ukrainians in their sleep, including a 2-year-old child, is Russia’s response to all peace initiatives.”
Air raid alarms sounded across the country in the early hours of Friday morning, while explosions were heard in Kyiv, and southern Mykolaiv was targeted again.
Ukraine has strengthened air defences over the winter, with help from western allies, after a Russian bombing campaign against power stations and other civilian infrastructure tried to cut off heating and power to major cities.Ukraine has strengthened air defences over the winter, with help from western allies, after a Russian bombing campaign against power stations and other civilian infrastructure tried to cut off heating and power to major cities.
However, leaked US military documents dated to February this year, warned that by May the country risked running out of missiles and ammunition.However, leaked US military documents dated to February this year, warned that by May the country risked running out of missiles and ammunition.
Earlier this month Ukrainian officials pleaded with Nato allies for more supplies, the Financial Times reported, fearing large-scale Russian bombing campaigns could break through depleted systems. Earlier this month, Ukrainian officials pleaded with Nato allies for more supplies, the Financial Times reported, fearing large-scale Russian bombing campaigns could break through depleted systems.
A large number of military aircraft had set off for Ukraine late on Thursday, and officials in Kyiv said 11 cruise missiles and two drones were shot down over the capital.A large number of military aircraft had set off for Ukraine late on Thursday, and officials in Kyiv said 11 cruise missiles and two drones were shot down over the capital.
The missiles were the first to target Kyiv in 50 days, although Iranian-made drones have repeatedly targeted the city in that time. The missiles were the first to target Kyiv in 50 days, although Iranian-made drones have targeted the city repeatedly in that time.
The strikes came as Moscow, and the world, wait for Kyiv to launch a spring counter-offensive against Russian forces. On Thursday, Nato’s secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said that almost all the combat vehicles promised to Ukraine by western allies had been delivered, putting Ukraine in a “strong position” to take back more ground. The strikes came as Moscow, and the world, wait for Kyiv to launch a spring counter-offensive against Russian forces. On Thursday, Nato’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, said that almost all the combat vehicles promised to Ukraine by western allies had been delivered, putting Ukraine in a “strong position” to recover further ground.
Last year brought a string of humiliating military defeats for the invading army, but Russia still occupies nearly a fifth of Ukrainian territory, which president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has vowed to retake. Last year brought a string of humiliating military defeats for the invading army, but Russia still occupies nearly a fifth of Ukrainian territory, which Zelenskiy has vowed to retake.
Stoltenberg said allies have now sent over 1,550 armoured vehicles, 230 tanks and “vast amounts of ammunition” to Ukraine, Reuters reported. They have also trained and equipped about 30,000 troops, more than 9 new brigades. Stoltenberg said the western allies have sent over 1,550 armoured vehicles, 230 tanks and “vast amounts of ammunition” to Ukraine, Reuters reported. They have also trained and equipped about 30,000 troops, the equivalent of more than nine new brigades.
“They will put Ukraine in a strong position to continue to retake occupied territory.” “They will put Ukraine in a strong position to continue to retake occupied territory.” he added.
On Thursday, the Kremlin said it still needed to achieve the “aims” of its invasion, the day after China’s president Xi Jinping spoke to Zelenskiy over the phone for an hour.On Thursday, the Kremlin said it still needed to achieve the “aims” of its invasion, the day after China’s president Xi Jinping spoke to Zelenskiy over the phone for an hour.
Beijing, which has a close strategic partnership with Moscow, has drawn up a peace proposal for Ukraine, but there is no sign either side are ready to stop fighting and come to the negotiating table.Beijing, which has a close strategic partnership with Moscow, has drawn up a peace proposal for Ukraine, but there is no sign either side are ready to stop fighting and come to the negotiating table.