Russian missiles have injured at least 47 people in Ukraine’s north-eastern city of Kharkiv, officials have said.
This comes after Moscow claimed that Kyiv had launched one of the biggest drone attacks against it since the full-scale war began.
Following this latest strike on Kharkiv, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has called on his country’s allies to allow Ukraine to fire Western-supplied missiles deeper into enemy territory and reduce the military threat posed by Russia.
“Russia is once again terrorising Kharkiv, striking civilian infrastructure and the city itself,” Mr Zelensky said following the attacks.
“All the necessary forces of the world must be brought in to stop this terror,” he said on his Telegram channel, in response to the Kharkiv attack that Ukrainian officials said involved at least 10 missiles.
On X, he expressed how vital it is “to bring peace closer and save lives by allowing long-range strikes and providing the appropriate long-range missiles and shells”.
Mr Zelensky added: “No Russian missile, no Russian strike should go without a just respond – respond with weapons, sanctions, the right policies, economic support for Ukraine, and justice for Russia.”
Russia continues to press their offensive in eastern Ukraine while trying to remove Ukrainian forces that broke through its western border in a surprise incursion earlier last month.
Last week, Russia hit Ukraine with its heaviest airstrikes of the war, hitting targets including energy facilities.
Ukraine, with its growing drone industry, has in return increased attacks on Russian infrastructure and is urging Western allies to provide more powerful weapons to inflict greater damage within Russia and weaken Moscow’s military capabilities.
On Saturday, the Ukrainian Air Force said that its defences shot down 24 out of 52 drones launched by Russia during overnight attacks on eight regions across Ukraine.
In a statement on Telegram, 25 Shahed drones had reportedly fallen on their own and three others had flown towards Russia and Belarus.
There were no reports of anybody being hurt in the attacks or of any major damage being caused.
Ukraine uses electronic warfare as well as mobile hunting groups and aircraft defences to repel frequent Russian drone and missile strikes.
On Saturday, the Ukrainian Air Force said that its defences shot down 24 out of 52 drones launched by Russia during overnight attacks on eight regions across Ukraine.
In a statement on Telegram, 25 Shahed drones had reportedly fallen on their own and three others had flown towards Russia and Belarus.
There were no reports of anybody being hurt in the attacks or of any major damage being caused.
Ukraine uses electronic warfare as well as mobile hunting groups and aircraft defences to repel frequent Russian drone and missile strikes.
