Russia has carried out a massive combined strike on Ukraine, killing at least 13 people and injuring around 40 more. The President of Ukraine reported on the consequences of the attack and the need to strengthen missile defence.
According to him, the enemy had prepared this attack in advance, combining different types of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as attack drones, in order to inflict maximum damage on civilian infrastructure. Destruction has been recorded in Kyiv and Kyiv region, in Odesa region and Chernihiv region.
In the capital, residential buildings have been damaged, including a multi-storey block where the upper floors have been destroyed, as well as a children’s hospital and a school. Emergency rescue operations at the impact sites are ongoing. As of the time of the reported information, 12 people had been killed in Kyiv and one more person had died in the region.
In Odesa region, Russian drones attacked a border crossing point on the frontier with Moldova. In Chernihiv region, gas infrastructure came under attack. Rescuers, medics, police officers and municipal services have been deployed to deal with the aftermath.
The President stressed that Moscow continues to invest in ballistic missiles and escalation, while the world’s response to such strikes is not always sufficient. He emphasised that without an adequate number of anti-ballistic defence assets, Russia will not take the prospect of peace seriously.
The Head of State noted that work continues every day on the FREYJA programme, aimed at strengthening air defence. At the same time, he underlined that interceptors for Patriot systems currently have no full-fledged replacement, and that Ukraine needs such missiles every day, as each additional air defence missile saves lives.
The President thanked all partners who understand Ukraine’s critical need to strengthen its missile defence and are looking for ways to provide additional assistance.