At least 11 people were killed when Russian missiles hit a residential complex full of sleeping families in the home city of Ukraine ’s
President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The five-storey building in Kryvyi Rih, central Ukraine, was engulfed in a fireball in the early hours yesterday.
Kryvyi Rih mayor Oleksandr Vilkul said one person is still believed to be trapped under the rubble and 28 were wounded.
More attacks were launched on the capital Kyiv, although the missiles were shot down.
Moscow unleashed its latest onslaught against civilians as Ukraine reels from Russia ’s suspected blowing up of the Khakova Dam on the Dnipro River.
The attack, illegal under international law, caused catastrophic flooding, submerging dozens of communities.
Mr Zelensky said of the latest strikes: “More terrorist missiles. Russian killers continue their war against residential buildings, ordinary cities and people.”
Russia’s overnight assault included Ukraine’s second city of Kharkiv, which was bombarded with Iranian-made Shahed drones. The surrounding region was also shelled, wounding two.
Air defences overnight shot down 10 out of the 14 cruise missiles launched and one of the four Shahed drones.
In Kyiv local officials said the city will soon be supplied with “modular” or pre-built above ground air raid shelters so locals can take cover more quickly on the street.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s long-awaited counter-offensive has reclaimed at least seven towns, punching deep into Russian lines.
The head of Ukraine’s ground troops said the country’s forces were “moving forward” outside the devastated city of Bakhmut in the
Donetsk region.
Oleksandr Syrskyi wrote that the Russians are “losing positions on the flanks” as Ukraine conducts “defensive” operations in the area.
Ukrainian forces have been intensifying counter attacks at several points along a 600 mile front in southern Ukraine.
It is now 16 months since Russia launched its invasion.
