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Russian missile, drone barrage kills 17 in Kiev: President Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy says Russia fired dozens of ballistic missiles and more than 100 drones overnight, hitting civilian infrastructure as he renewed calls for more air defence systems and tougher sanctions on Moscow.
Russian missile, drone barrage kills 17 in Kiev: President Zelenskyy
[FILE] Ukraine has accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure in the overnight assault. (Reuters)

Seventeen people were killed and 44 injured in overnight strikes on Kiev and the surrounding Kiev region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday.

The attack involved 24 ballistic missiles, four Tsirkon and Oniks missiles, and 115 drones, many of them jet-powered, Zelenskyy said in a statement on Telegram.

Warehouses, infrastructure and a railway station were among the targets, he added.

Zelenskyy called for increased supplies of ballistic missile interceptors to Ukraine, urging the Group of Seven and the EU to impose additional sanctions on Russian producers of ballistic missiles.

RelatedTRT World - Ukrainian drones kill two in Russia, strike Wildberries warehouse: officials

Cross-border attacks escalate

The latest strikes come as both Russia and Ukraine step up long-range attacks, with Russia significantly increasing its use of ballistic missiles in recent weeks, according to an AFP analysis.

Ukraine has repeatedly urged its Western allies to provide more US-made Patriot air defence systems, saying additional interceptors are needed to counter Russia's growing missile campaign.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has argued that shortages of ballistic missile interceptors encourage further attacks and recently discussed domestic Patriot production with US President Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, Russian authorities said air defences intercepted multiple Ukrainian drones overnight, including at least 10 headed towards Moscow. Officials in the Tula region said 107 drones were shot down, with debris damaging apartment buildings and igniting a fire at an online retailer Wildberries’ logistics facility.

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Ukraine has accused Wildberries of supporting Russia's military by storing drone components, an allegation the company has not publicly addressed.

The latest escalation comes amid growing concern from UN human rights monitors over rising civilian casualties, which they say have reached their highest levels since the early months of Russia's full-scale military campaign in 2022.

SOURCE:TRT World and Agencies