Zelensky condemns 'vile' large-scale Russian attacks that killed 15
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack that killed at least 15 people across multiple regions. The strikes, which hit residential buildings, were described by Zelensky as a 'vile' birthday gift for Vladimir Putin.
Why it matters
The escalation of attacks on civilian infrastructure highlights the ongoing intensity of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the urgent need for enhanced air defense systems.
Image source, Reuters By Amy Walker Published 25 minutes ago At least 15 people have died in overnight strikes across central and eastern Ukraine, in what Volodymyr Zelensky has described as one of Russia's "most vile" attacks.
Ukraine's president said a residential building in Pryluky in the Chernihiv region was destroyed as a "birthday 'gift' to Putin", who turns 74 on Wednesday. Strikes also hit Kyiv, Dnipro, Kremenchuk, Zaporizhzhia and Oleksandriya.
Zelensky said Ukraine had struck targets in attacks on Russia's Perm, Samara and Astrakhan regions in the past 24 hours, adding there was "also a response in the Black Sea", without providing further details.
Moscow is yet to comment on the latest strikes.
"The Russians wanted to strike painfully and demonstratively," Zelensky said, adding that 70 missiles were fired in total.
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