Russia launches heavy strikes at Ukraine, killing at least 20

On Wednesday, Russia unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones against Ukraine, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, resulting in at least 20 casualties and significant damage to infrastructure. Among the fatalities were children, and the heaviest toll was in Pryluky, a northern Chernihiv region town, where a Russian missile destroyed a five-story residential building, killing 14 people, including four children.

Zelenskiy denounced the strike as one of the "vilest" on this day, marking Vladimir Putin's birthday. The Russian forces initiated over 70 missile launches, predominantly ballistic, during the intense assault. In addition to the casualties in Pryluky, about 50 individuals sustained injuries, comprising seven children, across Kyiv, Oleksandria, and Kremenchuk.

Ukraine's air force reported intercepting more than 80% of the 46 drone launches orchestrated by Russia, a marked improvement from previous weeks, where the interception rate typically ranged from 50% to 60%.