Russian Strikes Target Ukrainian Cities, Killing 21 Civilians

Russian forces launched missile and drone attacks across Ukraine overnight Wednesday, targeting Kyiv and 11 other regions. The attacks resulted in the deaths of at least 21 civilians, including four children. Officials reported approximately 60 injuries from the barrages.

Ukrainian authorities confirmed hits in central, southern, and western areas of the country. The capital, Kyiv, experienced some of the strikes. Emergency services responded to multiple locations throughout the night and into the morning.

The Ukrainian Air Force announced its air defense systems intercepted 18 out of 24 cruise missiles and 18 out of 20 Shahed drones launched by Russia. Despite these interceptions, several targets sustained damage. Officials did not specify the types of locations struck.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the attacks, stating, "Russia shelled Ukrainian cities again." He acknowledged the effectiveness of Ukrainian air defense in some instances while noting that "not all of them were shot down." Zelenskyy further stated, "The enemy planned this attack for a long time."

Local administrations in affected regions reported the civilian casualties. They did not provide further details on the conditions of the injured or specific locations where the fatalities occurred.