At least 16 people have been killed and more than 40 injured in Kiev and surrounding areas after a massive Russian overnight attack with missiles and drones.
The Ukrainian Air Force says Russia fired dozens of cruise missiles, as well as ballistic and hypersonic missiles, along with 168 drones. According to Ukrainian authorities, about 90% of the drones and most of the cruise missiles were shot down by air defenses.
The Air Force did not specify the number of ballistic missiles launched or whether any were intercepted.
In Kiev, the upper floors of a nine-story apartment building collapsed in the Solomiansky district, where most of the capital's casualties were recorded. Mayor Vitali Klitschko called for Friday to be declared a day of mourning.
Damage was also reported in two other areas of Kiev, where a school and a children's hospital were hit, while non-residential premises and warehouses also suffered damage.
Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry stated that the air and drone strikes targeted Kiev and surrounding areas, claiming that facilities producing drone components, a military warehouse and a supply center were hit, among other targets.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Ukraine's allies of failing to replenish air defense missile stocks in a timely manner, warning that their shortage is costing lives.
Russia has increased its use of ballistic missiles in recent months, and Zelensky has repeatedly urged allies to supply Ukraine with interceptor missiles for Patriot systems.
According to Zelensky, Patriot is the only system in the Ukrainian arsenal capable of shooting down a ballistic missile.
"Interceptor missiles for Patriot systems have not yet been replaced and they are needed every day," Zelensky wrote on Telegram. "Every additional missile saves the lives of our people," the Ukrainian president added.
