Ukraine war: Russia launches deadly drone attack on Kyiv and other cities
Kyiv, Ukraine - At least six people were killed and several were injured in new Russian missile strikes in cities across Ukraine, including "kamikaze" drone attacks on the capital Kyiv on Monday, according to official estimates.
Three bodies have been recovered in Kyiv, the deputy head of the presidential office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, announced on Telegram, adding that 19 people were rescued from the rubble of a house destroyed by an explosion.
"Rescue efforts continue," Tymoshenko said in the afternoon.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also reacted with a message on Telegram: "All night and all morning, the enemy terrorizes the civilian population. Kamikaze drones and missiles are attacking all of Ukraine. A residential building was hit in Kyiv."
He added: "The enemy can attack our cities, but it won’t be able to break us. The occupiers will get only fair punishment and condemnation of future generations. And we will get victory."
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko identified two of the victims as a young couple. The woman had been in the sixth month of a pregnancy, he said.
Russia attacks with dozens of drones
In the region of Sumy, at least three people were killed and nine injured after three Russian missiles hit a civilian target in the morning, according to governor Dmytro Zhyvytskyi. "There are still people buried under the rubble," he said.
Attacks were also reported in the regions of Dnipropetrovsk and Odessa.
According to Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyy, two paramedics were also injured in Kyiv. Russia launched a total of some 40 drones, five of which struck the capital city, he was quoted as saying by news agency Ukrinform. Moscow had said earlier that it had targeted the country's energy infrastructure.
"Hundreds of settlements" are still without electricity, according to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
The attacks came a week after Russia launched a major bombing campaign in response to the partial destruction of the Crimea bridge, which is suspected to have been organized by Ukraine's intelligence agency.
Cover photo: Collage: REUTERS