KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - A recent Russian drone strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, has left at least 47 individuals injured, as reported by local officials. The assault occurred late Friday, with drones targeting 12 different locations within the city.
Kharkiv's Mayor, Ihor Terekhov, confirmed the damaging effects on residential buildings, civilian infrastructure, and vehicles, while regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov emphasized the extent of the destruction caused by the attack.
In response to the aggressive actions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for stronger and more decisive support from Ukraine's international allies. He voiced his concerns, stating, "While the world hesitates with decisions, nearly every night in Ukraine turns into a nightmare, costing lives. Ukraine needs strengthened air defense," in a message posted on X during the early hours of Saturday.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched a total of 183 drones and decoys overnight, of which Ukrainian defenses managed to intercept 77. Additionally, 73 drones were lost due to likely electronic jamming by Ukrainian forces. Moreover, the Air Force reported that Russia fired two ballistic missiles during the same night.
Contrarily, Russia's Defense Ministry claims that its air defenses successfully intercepted 170 Ukrainian drones alongside eight cruise missiles and three guided missiles over the same period. Meanwhile, in southern Russia, a drone strike on the Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk resulted in injuries to four individuals, as confirmed by Krasnodar Region Governor Veniamin Kondratyev.
This wave of drone attacks follows a significant agreement signed between the United States and Ukraine on Wednesday, granting American access to Ukraine's vast mineral resources. This arrangement has been in the works for months and is expected to facilitate continued military aid to Kyiv, amid concerns that any potential shift in support could arise from ongoing peace negotiations with Russia.
In his remarks to journalists in Kyiv, President Zelenskyy also stated that Ukraine is prepared to consider a 30-day ceasefire proposal backed by the United States. He expressed that this ceasefire could commence on any date and would last for an entire month, allowing for substantial steps toward ending the ongoing conflict. "Let’s be honest — you can’t agree on anything serious in three, five, or seven days," he noted.
Zelenskyy dismissed Moscow's announcement of a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire next week to commemorate Victory Day in World War II, labeling it as a mere attempt to create a "soft atmosphere" before the Russian celebration. He remarked, "It looks unserious... so that Putin’s guests on Red Square feel comfortable and safe."
The Ukrainian leader assured that Kyiv's military actions would remain "mirror-like," indicating that they will respond in kind to Russian moves. He acknowledged the challenges of implementing a comprehensive ceasefire without robust international monitoring but emphasized that the proposed 30-day timeframe could serve as a credible starting point.
Additionally, Zelenskyy confirmed Ukraine's ongoing efforts to arrange a meeting of international advisors, implying that the next round of negotiations with the U.S. might take place in Ukraine itself. He regarded the discussion of such a meeting as a "positive sign," despite recent changes in personnel in Washington, indicating a continuing commitment to dialogue and potential diplomatic solutions.
Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.
Hanna Arhirova, The Associated Press
