Ukraine issues statement after Russia launches barrage of airstrikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has slammed Russia for its latest barrage of airstrikes.

Russia has initiated a series of airstrikes on cities throughout Ukraine, including the capital, Kyiv, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 people. In the central city of Uman, an attack on an apartment block led to the death of ten individuals, including a child.

Additionally, a woman and her three-year-old daughter lost their lives in the city of Dnipro, as reported by the local mayor. Cities such as Kremenchuk and Poltava also experienced explosions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that ten residential buildings in Uman were damaged, including the apartment block where the child who was born in 2013 died. According to the state rescue service, 11 other people required hospital treatment.

Zelensky called for further global action against Russia, emphasizing the importance of increased sanctions alongside Ukraine’s ongoing defense efforts.

The first Russian missile attack on Kyiv in 51 days was confirmed by the head of the city’s military administration. There have been no immediate reports of civilian casualties in the capital. Ukraine’s air defense system managed to shoot down 21 out of 23 missiles and two attack drones, as officials announced on the messaging service Telegram.

Footage posted on Telegram by Ukraine’s State Border Service displayed the extensive damage caused to an apartment building in Uman after the strikes. Olga, a resident of one of the damaged apartment blocks, recounted to news agency Reuters how her windows were shattered before the explosion occurred. Another man wept as he watched emergency services carry a body away on a stretcher.

These attacks come as Ukrainian forces are believed to be gearing up for a military offensive, bolstered by new equipment, including tanks, supplied by Western allies. Russia has encountered difficulties in advancing its winter offensive, including a 10-month battle to gain control of the strategically significant city of Bakhmut.

The intended targets of Russia’s latest attacks remain unclear, but the country has previously targeted civilian infrastructure. Although Moscow has claimed not to deliberately target civilians, thousands have been injured or killed across Ukraine since the Russian invasion began.

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