Muqdisho News
Russia has launched new drone and missile strikes on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, and Odesa, a port city, resulting in three fatalities and damage to a maternity hospital, according to Ukrainian officials.
Moscow has intensified its bombardments across Ukraine, while Kyiv has retaliated with strikes deep within Russian territory.
Recent talks held in Turkey failed to produce any significant breakthroughs in efforts to end the three-year conflict.
Other than an agreement to exchange prisoners, progress has been minimal.
Following an overnight assault involving over 300 drones and seven missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Kyiv’s Western allies to take “concrete action.”
“Action from America, capable of compelling Russia towards peace. Action from Europe, which has no option but to display strength,” Mr. Zelensky posted on social media.
He also noted that two missiles in the latest attacks were sourced from North Korea.
Air raid alerts in Kyiv and several regions of Ukraine persisted for five hours.
Russia’s defense ministry reported that it targeted “Ukrainian aviation, missile, armored vehicle, and ship-building facilities in Kyiv” with a “group strike.”
“The objective of the strikes was accomplished. All specified targets were struck,” the ministry asserted.
However, residential buildings and hospital facilities were hit in Odesa, resulting in two deaths and at least nine injuries, according to Governor Oleg Kiper.
“The enemy launched a massive drone attack on Odesa,” Kiper wrote on Telegram.
“Russians targeted a maternity hospital, an emergency medical ward, and residential buildings,” he added, noting that the maternity hospital had been timely evacuated.
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In central Kyiv, multiple explosions, anti-aircraft fire, and the sound of buzzing drones were audible.
Air raid alarms in Kyiv and many Ukrainian regions lasted for five hours, concluding around 5 am (3 am Irish time), military reports indicated.
City officials confirmed one woman was killed and four were injured.
The mayor reported that strikes impacted at least seven districts, igniting fires in buildings and vehicles.
Russia’s 2022 invasion has sparked the most significant European conflict since World War II, displacing millions and ravaging much of eastern and southern Ukraine.
