In brief
President Volodymyr Zelensky today blasted a large‑scale Russian missile attack that killed 15 civilians across central and eastern Ukraine, calling the assault one of Russia’s most vile acts. The strike destroyed a residential building in the town of Pryluky and also hit Kyiv, Dnipro, Kremenchuk, Zaporizhzhia and Oleksandriya, with casualties reported in each city. In response, Ukraine launched counter‑attacks on Russian energy facilities and selected military sites in Moscow’s Perm, Samara and Astrakhan regions, signalling a tit-for‑tat escalations. Moscow has yet to comment on the attacks. The incident underscores the volatile status of border regions and the ongoing clash over civilian protection and strategic targets.
At least 15 civilians lost their lives in a late‑night Russian missile campaign that targeted a range of Ukrainian cities, President Volodymyr Zelensky said today, describing the offensive as one of Russia’s most vile acts.
The strike destroyed a residential block in Pryluky, the Chernihiv region, which Zelensky likened to a “birthday gift” for Russia’s leader. Other affected hubs included Kyiv, Dnipro, Kremenchuk, Zaporizhzhia and Oleksandriya, with multiple casualties in each location.
Zelensky announced that Ukrainian forces have struck key Russian targets across the Perm, Samara and Astrakhan regions, and hinted at a broader response in the Black Sea corridor.
Russia has yet to issue a statement regarding the latest wave of strikes, which involved an estimated 70 missiles deployed overnight.
The president called for fresh air‑defence aid from allies after noting that Ukraine’s defensive systems intercepted only a portion of the incoming barrage.
Emergency responders continued to search for survivors under rubble in Pryluky, while footage released by Ukrainian police showed a damaged apartment building in Dnipro and evidence of an unexploded missile in a Kyiv district.
The escalating conflict has also seen heightened activity in the Black Sea, where an unmanned vessel attacked a Liberian‑flagged oil tanker off the coast of Sochi, and a grain‑laden ship sank after a drone strike near Bulgaria.
