Over 30 killed as Russia’s ‘biggest’ missile strikes hit Ukraine

At least 31 people have been killed and over 120 wounded after Russia fired one of its biggest missile strikes at Ukraine on Friday.

According to Ukraine’s ministry of defense, the attack was the most massive air raid since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

“The occupiers used a variety of types of ballistic missiles, air-launched cruise missiles, and Shahed UAVs to target civilian targets,” the military tweeted.

“A total of 158 missiles and UAVs were fired against Ukraine; 87 missiles and 27 Shaheds were shot down by Ukrainian air defence.”

Footage shared by the country’s military showed several buildings destroyed by the missile and drone attacks while residents walked through the debris and rubble in the city.

Ukraine’s defence ministry added that the attacks hit residential buildings, hospitals, schools, and shopping malls around the country, and labelled Russia a terrorist state.

“The terrorists must be punished,” the tweet added.

The Ukrainian foreign ministry said the multiple end-of-year air assaults showed there should be “no talk of a truce” with the Kremlin at a time when uncertainty hangs over the future of Western support for Kyiv.

World leaders and organisations including the European Union (EU) condemned the attacks and pledged their continuous support for Ukraine.