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

Russian missiles and drones launched a severe attack on Ukraine over the weekend, claiming at least 28 lives, including children, and causing significant damage, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in a televised address. The heaviest casualties occurred in Pryluky, a city in the northern Chernihiv region, where a Russian missile destroyed a five-story residential building, killing 20 people, five of whom were children. The Ukrainian Interior Minister cited a total of 28 deaths across the nation.

In Kyiv, falling debris from a drone killed two more individuals in a residential suburb. Zelensky highlighted that the attacks coincided with Russian President Vladimir Putin's birthday, deeming it a "vile" present from the Russian leader. The president also reported that at least 100 people were injured across the country.

The Russian military launched approximately 70 missiles and around 50 Shahed drones during the assault. Ukrainian air defenses managed to intercept and destroy over 80% of the incoming drones, a significant increase from previous weeks. The remaining missiles targeted key infrastructure, including industrial facilities and energy infrastructure.

The president emphasized that Russia's objective was to inflict pain and make a striking demonstration, describing the attack as one of the most vile in recent history. In Pryluky, rescuers worked to clear the rubble of the collapsed building, bringing out 15 survivors from the debris. The town's deputy mayor described the scene as being filled with widespread destruction, particularly in the town center.

Ukrainian military forces retaliated by hitting four Russian targets, including two oil facilities and a training ground, in response to the escalating attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.