Zelensky condemns ‘vile’ Russian strikes as at least 28 killed in Ukraine

Kyiv: In a savage attack on Wednesday, Russian forces unleashed waves of missiles and drones on Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky described as one of the most "vile" strikes. At least 28 people lost their lives, including children, with the heaviest toll in Pryluky, northern Chernihiv region, where a missile destroyed a five-story residential building, killing 20, including five children.

Kyiv's prosecutors reported two fatalities from falling debris caused by a drone strike in a suburb. Zelensky condemned the attacks, which came on the same day as Russian President Vladimir Putin's birthday, saying it was "the killing of children, the killing of people" - a birthday gift Putin gave himself. The Russian forces launched 70 missiles and deployed dozens of Shahed attack drones overnight.

In Pryluky, rescue workers recovered 15 survivors from the rubble, with around 55 wounded in the town. Ukraine's air force claimed to have intercepted over 80% of the 46 jet-powered drones launched by Russia. Zelensky emphasized that Russian ballistic missiles remained the most significant challenge for Ukraine, and his team was actively seeking Patriot missile interception systems to protect civilians.

The European Union provided Ukraine with a €1.2 billion (US$1.34 billion) aid package, which will be used for defense purposes. Zelensky's forces reportedly struck four Russian targets, including two oil facilities and a training ground, in response to the escalating strikes on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.