Emerald News:-Kyiv: At least 25 people were killed and around 100 others injured in a massive Russian air strike on Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, describing the attack as a large-scale combined assault involving ballistic and cruise missiles as well as Shahed drones.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukrainian air defence forces managed to intercept 44 Russian missiles, including both cruise and ballistic missiles. He said ballistic missiles remain particularly difficult to counter.
Ukrainian forces also successfully suppressed 117 Shahed drones, which Zelenskyy said represented most of the drones launched during the attack, although some still managed to reach their targets.
Zelenskyy called for additional air-defence missile supplies and stronger measures from Ukraine’s international partners to counter the continuing threat of Russian attacks.
“The threat is there every day, and every day, our air defence batteries need to have missiles ready,” Zelenskyy said, stressing the need for prompt deliveries from partner countries.
The Ukrainian President also criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the massive attack was the kind of “gift” Putin had given himself on his birthday.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine would continue to rely on its partners for additional air-defence systems and missile supplies as Russian aerial attacks remain an ongoing threat across the country.
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