Zelensky condemns 'vile' large-scale Russian attacks that killed 20
Key Points:
- At least 20 people have died in overnight Russian missile strikes across central and eastern Ukraine, targeting residential buildings and energy infrastructure in cities including Pryluky, Kyiv, Dnipro, Kremenchuk, Zaporizhzhia, and Oleksandriya.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the attacks as one of Russia's "most vile," noting that 70 missiles were fired and calling for increased air defense support from allies as Ukraine managed to shoot down only some of them.
- Ukraine launched retaliatory strikes on Russian targets in the Perm, Samara, and Astrakhan regions, including oil facilities and a training ground, with an additional response reportedly occurring in the Black Sea.
- In the Black Sea, an oil tanker off Sochi was attacked by unmanned boats, and Bulgaria reported a drone attack sinking a cargo ship in its exclusive economic zone, marking an escalation of maritime incidents amid the ongoing conflict.
- The death toll in Pryluky rose to 14, including three children, with many injured and some still trapped in rubble; authorities continue rescue operations amid widespread destruction from the missile strikes.