- Russian missile strike kills 18 in Chernihiv, Ukraine
- Mayor reports heavy damage; dozens injured, buildings destroyed
- Ukraine seeks international aid for air defence, post-attack assistance
Local authorities report that 18 individuals were slain in the city of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine as a result of a Russian missile strike.
As per the statement of the city’s mayor, the attack on an eight-story building in a densely populated area injured over sixty people, three of whom were minors.
Officials reported that three missiles had struck in the vicinity of the city’s core.
Hours after allegations of a Ukrainian strike on a Russian military airfield in occupied Crimea, the assault occurred.
Although confirmation is pending, local social media platforms have disseminated video allegedly capturing a fire on the airfield located at Dzhankoi in the northern region of Crimea.
Oleksandr Lomako, the acting mayor of Chernihiv, reported that a building had been struck directly by one of the Russian missiles, resulting in damage to multiple floors. Four additional high-rise structures, a hospital, dozens of vehicles, and a higher education institution were all damaged, according to the presidential office in Kyiv.
People were seen on video footage from the location alighting from a trolley bus and diving for shelter in the city.
As emergency services combed through the rubble in quest of victims, officials urged members of the public to donate blood. They initially reported that seventeen people had perished, but the regional chief subsequently confirmed that an additional individual had passed away and that thirty-seven others were undergoing hospital treatment.
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Russian attack would not have occurred “had Ukraine been supplied with adequate air defence equipment.” He also reiterated an appeal to Western allies for assistance.
A merely 100 kilometres (60 miles) separates Chernihiv from the Russian frontier.
At the onset of the 2022 invasion, portions of the Chernihiv region adjacent to the city were occupied for several weeks as Russia attempted to capture Kyiv to the south.
A siege had been imposed on the city for over a month. Approximately 70% of it was devastated, and hundreds of civilians perished, according to the mayor.
A missile strike also targeted a theatre within the city in August 2023, resulting in the loss of seven lives.
Monday, in an interview with US television, the Ukrainian leader attributed Russia’s destruction of a critical thermal power plant that supplied Kyiv and other regions last week to Ukraine’s deteriorating air defences.
According to Mr. Zelensky, eleven missiles targeted the Trypillya facility, but Ukrainian forces intercepted only seven of them. Four destroyed Trypillya because we possessed none. “Every missile was depleted,” he reported to PBS.
Germany has presented the European Union, NATO, and other nations with an initiative to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences.
The German Ministry of Defence stated that the initiative was “designed to stimulate and incentivize a significant number of nations to provide an immediate response” in response to a “shift in the threat landscape” in Ukraine.
Several European leaders have expressed potential support for this initiative, and Denmark and the Netherlands have recently declared additional aid packages.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte stated during a meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels that Europe must continue to assist Ukraine.
“It is clear that mere good words and good intentions are not enough for Ukraine,” according to him. “Nor consists solely of financial support.” Additional air defences are urgently required.”
According to the German foreign ministry, the matter will be discussed at a G7 meeting in Capri, Italy, later on Wednesday.
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Additionally, David Cameron, the foreign secretary of the United Kingdom, expressed optimism on Tuesday that the G7 could “coalesce” regarding a plan to use the interest from seized Russian assets to financially support Ukraine.
Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s foreign minister, will attend the meeting and request additional arms.
Kyiv has been patiently awaiting the passage of a $60 billion (£48 billion) US aid package through Congress for months, but Republican objections have stalled the process.
Mr Zelensky stated that the international community had demonstrated solidarity by aiding a non-NATO nation, Israel, when Iranian missiles besieged it. He demanded that Ukraine receive the same level of political determination.
