Closing summary
… and that’s all for today.
Russia has carried out its deadliest attack against Ukraine this year, killing at least 17 people, and injuring more than 100, in a wave of drone and missile strikes across the country (10:06, 10:53, 11:08, 11:46, 16:34).
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy cautioned against any relaxation of sanctions on Russia saying it “does not deserve” any such move given its continuing attacks on Ukraine.
The European Commission agreed with his comments, saying that “giving any relief in terms of sanctions … vis a vis Russia is not helpful in maintaining the pressure” on Moscow to end its aggression against Ukraine.
In other news,
The European Commission has confirmed that it will hold first early talks with the incoming Hungarian government of Péter Magyar on Friday as it hopes for a constructive relationship after years of clashes with Viktor Orbán (14:16).
The news comes as it emerged that Orbán will skip his final EU summit as he readies to hand over power after losing power in last Sunday’s parliamentary election (13:30).
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At least 17 people killed in Russia's deadliest attack on Ukraine this year
in Kyiv
Russia has carried out its deadliest attack against Ukraine this year, killing at least 17 people, and injuring more than 100, in a wave of drone and missile strikes across the country.
Nine people died in the southern port city of Odesa, with four killed in Kyiv, including a 12-year-old boy. There were three fatalities in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Another person died in Zaporizhzhia oblast.
An air raid alarm sounded in the capital at about 2.30am on Thursday. Explosions could be heard soon afterwards, as well as loud booms from Ukrainian air defences. According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched nearly 700 drones and dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles.
Mykhailo Barvinko, a 27-year-old PhD student, told the Guardian: “I heard the air-raid alarm and was about to go down to the bomb shelter when my windows blew in. There was a flash and two seconds later an enormous blast wave.”
Barvinko was unhurt but his third-floor apartment in Kyiv’s Podilskyi district was damaged. “I don’t understand Russia’s motive. We are civilians. It’s really surreal. We had nothing against them. One day Russia decides it has to kill and destroy us,” he said.
Updated
