At least 31 people were killed and over 120 were injured after Russia launched one of its most powerful missile strikes against Ukraine on Friday.
According to Ukraine’s defence ministry, the attack was the most massive air raid since the start of the full-fledged invasion in February 2022.
“The occupiers used a variety of types of ballistic missiles, air-launched cruise missiles, and Shahed UAVs to target civilian targets,” the military tweeted.
“A total of 158 missiles and UAVs were fired against Ukraine; 87 missiles and 27 Shaheds were shot down by Ukrainian air defence.”
The country’s military shared footage of several buildings destroyed by missile and drone attacks, while residents walked through the city’s debris and rubble.
Ukraine’s defence ministry went on to say that the attacks targeted residential buildings, hospitals, schools, and shopping malls across the country, and that Russia was a terrorist state.
“The terrorists must be punished,” the tweet added.
The Ukrainian foreign ministry said the multiple end-of-year air assaults showed there should be “no talk of a truce” with the Kremlin at a time when Western support for Kyiv is uncertain.
The attacks were condemned by world leaders and organisations, including the European Union (EU), who pledged their continued support for Ukraine.
