Kiev [Ukraine], May 16: At least eight people have been killed, including a 12-year-old girl, in Kiev after Russia launched a massive overnight drone and missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital and other regions, officials have said.
The victims' bodies were pulled from the rubble of a partially destroyed apartment building in Kiev, where rescuers are still searching for at least 20 people feared missing, Ukraine's emergencies service DSNS said.
It said 45 people, including two children, were injured. Friday has been declared a day of mourning in the city. It is the third day in a row Ukraine has reported deaths, as Moscow ramps up its assault after a three-day ceasefire expired on Monday.
The overnight barrage saw more than 670 drones and 56 missiles targeting the country, President Volodomyr Zelensky said. This is among the largest attacks Russia has mounted since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The strikes hit more than 180 sites across Ukraine, including more than 50 residential buildings, Zelensky added.
He said a total of more than 1,560 Russian drones had targeted Ukrainian cities since Tuesday night, describing Moscow's assault as "definitely not the actions of those who believe the war is coming to an end" and urging allies to hold Moscow accountable.
After an urgent meeting with Ukraine's top military and security officials, Zelensky said a "significant number" of drones were shot down, with an "overall interception rate" of 93%. But the same figures for missiles stood at 73%, the Ukrainian leader said, admitting that the "key challenge" remained in how to defend against Russian ballistic missiles.
He said the "priority number one" was to secure more deliveries of "anti-ballistic systems and missiles for them".
Ukraine has repeatedly said it has a massive shortage of US-made Patriot missile systems which can effectively intercept Russian ballistics.
Source: Qatar Tribune
