A complex Russian missile attack hit the Ukrainian cities of kyiv and Kharkiv early Tuesday, injuring several people and damaging residential buildings, officials said.
At least seven people were injured in the capital kyiv, including a 13-year-old boy, said its mayor, Vitalii Klitschko.
In Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city, an entire part of a multi-story residential building was destroyed, trapping an unknown number of people, councilor Ihor Terekhov said.
Recent Russian attacks have sought to find holes in Ukraine’s defenses using large numbers of missiles and drones with the apparent aim of overwhelming air defense systems.
Massive bombings – more than 500 drones and missiles were launched between December 29 and January 2, according to Kiev authorities – are also depleting Ukraine’s arsenals.
Tuesday’s attack came a day after Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s visit to Ukraine, during which he pledged continued support for the country in the face of the Russian invasion that began nearly two years ago. years and announced a new military aid program including a loan. to buy bigger weapons and a commitment to finding ways to jointly manufacture them.
After meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Tusk said they had reached an “agreement” to resolve any disputes over grain and road transport through dialogue. These problems had recently strained relations between neighbors.
kyiv’s allies have sought to reaffirm their commitment to its long-term defense amid fears Western support could wane. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, and the Foreign Minister of France also visited the country this year.
Tusk described the war as a broader battle between Europe and Russia, with repercussions beyond Ukraine, making it a priority for Poland.
“Today Ukraine is taking on the security problems of the entire European continent, today Ukraine is paying a huge blood price for fundamental values for the free world,” he commented. “Poland’s security is also threatened in this struggle.”
Zelensky noted that the discussions had been “very productive” and said Poland’s new military aid would include a loan that will allow Ukraine to acquire major weapons. They also assessed possibilities for joint weapons production, he added, in similar discussions with other allies.
On Sunday, Moscow-appointed officials in eastern Ukraine reported that Ukrainian shelling had killed at least 27 people on the outskirts of the city of Donetsk, occupied by Russian troops. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the incident a “monstrous terrorist act” and Russian-designated local authorities declared a day of mourning.
This article is originally published on nouvelles-du-monde.com
