Zelenskyy condemns ‘horrific attacks’ as Russian strikes kill 8, wound 35 in Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian missiles and drones killed at least eight civilians and injured 35 others in Ukraine on Monday, in what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as “terrible attacks.”
Since launch in Russia all-out invasion More than four years ago, its neighbor’s forces carried out strategic bombings. destroying the country’s infrastructure and demoralizes Ukraine. More than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians killed, according to the UN
In his statement on social media, Zelenskyy said that a Russian missile targeting the infrastructure hit the central city of Dnipro, killing five people and injuring 29 people.
Russian drones also hit a passenger minibus in the southern city of Zaporizhia, killing three people and injuring six people, including a child, the official said.
Additionally, Russian drones killed a 69-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man in the Sumy region in northeastern Ukraine, the National Police said.
Other deadly attacks occurred in at least six other regions of Ukraine, officials said.
Grid operator Ukrenergo said some customers in eight Ukrainian regions were left without electricity on Monday after Russia’s strike after hot weather increased electricity use as people turned on air conditioners.
Zelenskyy repeated his call for Europe to accelerate the development of air defenses to thwart Russia’s hard-to-stop ballistic missiles.
“People need greater protection against such horrific attacks,” Zelenskyy said. “First of all, we need anti-ballistic capabilities. It is very important that Europe is as active as possible in developing its own anti-ballistic defense, that is, its own systems and missiles.”
Putin says increasing Ukraine’s drone strikes will not stop war
Western officials say there has been a marked shift in the war in recent months, including the situation in Ukraine. expanding drone attacks I brought fuel shortage In Russia and the lands occupied by Russia. According to analysts, the attacks slowed the advance of the Russian army by weakening its supply lines to the front in eastern and southern Ukraine.
of Ukraine innovative drone engineering gave him an advantage in battle and made him a world leader in the military use of technology, and now aid to partner countries After previously begging for foreign military support.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday accepted Ukraine’s repeated long-range drone attacks on Russia’s oil facilities have caused fuel shortages. The shortage triggered public anger and frustration, as people queued for hours to fill up at gas stations.
But Putin refused to make any concessions to end the occupation, insisting that Russia would ultimately prevail in the war despite what he called “temporary” setbacks.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia’s attitude towards Ukraine has not changed and emphasized that Russian troops continue their attacks on the front line.
Their efforts “give us confidence that we will achieve our goals,” Peskov told reporters.
Analysts say Russia’s advance on the battlefield is fading
The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, said the Kremlin’s stance was an attempt to force the West and Ukraine to bow to Russia’s demands.
But he added: “Russia’s performance on the battlefield continues to decline in 2026, and Russia’s ability to achieve its goals militarily is in question.”
Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defense shot down 209 Ukrainian drones from late Sunday to Monday.
The Ukrainian air force announced that it shot down 82 of the 108 unmanned aerial vehicles launched by Russia at night.
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Hatton reported from Lisbon.
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