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Ten killed as Russia hits Ukrainian cities with huge aerial barrage

Ten killed as Russia hits Ukrainian cities with huge aerial barrage

Russia has launched one of its biggest aerial barrages of the year against Ukraine, killing 10 people and wounding at least 60 others.

Several cities were struck overnight, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claiming Russia launched around 110 missiles, with most of them being shot down.

Damage was reported at a maternity hospital in the central city of Dnipro and buildings in the western city of Lviv, the southeastern port of Odesa and the eastern city of Kharkiv.

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An explosion in Kyiv

Two were killed in the capital Kyiv, with more people thought to be trapped under rubble at a warehouse damaged by falling debris, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

Two people were killed in the Black Sea port city of Odesa and at least 15 were injured, including two children, as missiles hit residential buildings, the regional governor said.

An explosion of a missile is seen in the sky over the city during a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich
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Russia targeted the Ukrainian capital and other cities

Four were killed in Dnipro, while two were also killed in Kharkiv and Lviv.

Firefighters stand at the site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
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The aftermath of an attack in Kyiv

Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat said Russia “apparently launched everything they have”.

He claimed Russia used hypersonic, cruise and ballistic missiles, including X-22 type, which are extremely hard to intercept.

The Ukrainian military said it downed 27 Russian drones and 87 cruise missiles.

A firefighter works at a site of a warehouse heavily damaged during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
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A firefighter battling a blaze in Kyiv

Ukraine has been warning for weeks that Russia could be stockpiling missiles to launch a major air campaign targeting the energy system.

Last year millions of people were plunged into darkness when Russian strikes pounded the power grid.

Smoke rises from a building at the site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
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Hypersonic, cruise and ballistic missiles were reportedly used in the bombings

The energy ministry reported power outages in four regions after the air attack.

In Lviv region, which borders Poland, impacts were confirmed at a critical infrastructure facility, the president’s office said, declining to say which one.

“The enemy targeted social and critical infrastructure,” Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.

A firefighter works at a site of a warehouse heavily damaged during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
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A warehouse went up in flames in Kyiv

The bombings come days after Ukraine struck a Russian warship in the occupied Crimean port of Feodosia.

It also follows a $250m military aid package from the US, which included air defence ammunition.