Ukraine: 16 dead as Russian strikes pound Kyiv

"At least 16 people, including two children, were killed after a Russian missile slammed into a Kyiv apartment block on Thursday morning, authorities said, as Ukrainian cities came under aerial attack for the third day in a row. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the building had been virtually destroyed, and 20 people remain missing. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko initially said more than 30 people were injured in the nine-story building."

"Across Ukraine, Zelenskyy said that 180 structures were damaged in the Russian strikes, with 50 of the targets residential apartment blocks. Dozens of people were injured in strikes across the capital. Strikes on the northeastern city of Kharkiv injured 28 people, and two people were injured in strikes on the Black Sea port city of Odesa, he added. Zelenskyy said the Russian strikes mainly targeted residential apartment buildings."

"The Ukrainian president said Russia had launched 1,567 drones since the start of Wednesday, in what is believed to be Russia's largest aerial attack since the start of the war over four years ago. Ukrainian authorities say at least 22 civilians have been killed over the two days. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced a day of mourning in the capital on Friday."

"In his nightly address, Zelenskyy said the Kyiv building was struck by a Kh-101 missile which "was manufactured in the second quarter of this year." "This means Russia is still importing the components, resources, and equipment necessary for missile production in circumvention of global sanctions," he said. "Stopping Russia's sanctions evasion schemes must be a genuine priority for all our partners.""

A Russian missile hit a nine-story apartment building in Kyiv, virtually destroying it and killing at least 16 people, including two children. Authorities reported more than 30 injured initially, and 20 people remained missing. Across Ukraine, 180 structures were damaged, including 50 residential apartment blocks, with dozens injured in Kyiv. Strikes injured 28 people in Kharkiv and injured two people in Odesa. The attack followed three days of aerial attacks. The Ukrainian president said Russia launched 1,567 drones since the start of Wednesday, with at least 22 civilians killed over two days. He said the missile was a Kh-101 manufactured in 2025 and urged partners to stop sanctions evasion.

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