Russia's missile and drone attacks on Ukraine: Seven people killed

Russia launched missile and drone strikes on Ukraine on Monday, killing seven people and wounding dozens, officials said, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for diplomatic efforts to ensure Kiev gets the weapons as soon as possible, Reuters reported.

Kiev is awaiting deliveries of air defense ammunition, facing a shortage that has left it vulnerable to Russian attacks.

Two air bombs hit a busy area in the northern city of Sumy, a frequent target of Russian attacks, killing five people and injuring 30, authorities said.

One bomb hit a bus stop, and photos show a yellow bus with one side blown off. Other photos posted online show damage to the facades of apartment buildings.

Photos from Sumy

Air bombs also injured ten people in the southeastern city of Zaporizhia, the regional governor said.

Two people were killed and one was wounded earlier in the day in a rocket attack on the southern port city of Odessa.

Zelensky said in an evening video address that Ukraine needs its allies to ensure faster weapons deliveries.

"I am preparing changes in Ukraine's diplomatic efforts. We need a new level of cooperation with partners to ensure that agreements on arms deliveries are fulfilled. The agreements reached by state leaders must be implemented much faster and in full," Zelensky said.

This, he said, also applies to the agreement reached this week with US President Donald Trump for Ukraine to receive a license to produce its own interceptor missiles for the Patriot systems.

Earlier on Saturday, a drone hit a civilian company in the eastern city of Kharkiv, injuring seven people.

Meanwhile, 12 people were injured in the capital Kiev during a nighttime attack using ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones.

"Civil infrastructure was hit even before the air alert was declared. Our defenders managed to shoot down most of the targets, but not the ballistic missiles," Zelensky said earlier, referring to the attacks on Kiev.

Photos from Kiev

Russia launched six ballistic missiles, six more cruise missiles and 121 drones during overnight attacks, including an attack on Kiev, the Ukrainian Air Force said on Saturday morning, ahead of attacks on Odessa, Kharkiv and Sumy.

It was stated that at least two cruise missiles and 111 drones were shot down.

Russia has stepped up attacks on the capital in recent weeks. More than 60 people have been killed in attacks on Kiev and the surrounding area since the beginning of this month.

Kiev, on the other hand, is putting pressure on Russian military logistics in occupied southern Ukraine, seeking to deny Russian forces fuel and ammunition by attacking trucks and vessels deep behind the front lines.

The commander of Ukraine's drone forces, Robert Brovdy, said his units had hit 21 fuel tankers in the Sea of ​​Azov overnight, as well as seven more cargo and support ships, bringing the total number of vessels hit this week to 76.

Zelensky said the goal of the drone strike campaign is to bring Russia to the negotiating table, although Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet shown a willingness to soften his stance.

Ukraine seeks additional supplies from allies

Ukraine, which is critically short of ammunition for its Patriot air defense systems, has been largely unable to shoot down ballistic missiles, which travel at speeds several times the speed of sound, over the past month.

It has asked allies for larger deliveries of these munitions, and has also called on Europe to work with Kiev on developing its own anti-ballistic defense system.

US President Donald Trump said this week that Ukraine would be granted a license to produce its own Patriot interceptor missiles.

After today's attack, Zelensky called for these projects to be implemented "as quickly as possible."

Russia has stepped up attacks on the Ukrainian capital in recent weeks. More than 60 people have been killed in attacks on Kiev and the surrounding area since the beginning of this month.

Kiev, on the other hand, is increasing pressure on Russian military logistics in occupied southern Ukraine, seeking to deprive Russian forces of fuel and ammunition by attacking trucks and vessels deep behind the front lines.

The commander of Ukraine's drone forces, Robert Brovdy, said his units had hit 21 fuel tankers in the Sea of ​​Azov overnight, as well as seven more cargo and support ships, bringing the total number of vessels hit this week to 76.

Zelensky said the goal of the drone strike campaign is to force Russia to the negotiating table, although Russian President Vladimir Putin has so far not publicly shown a willingness to soften his stance.

One person was killed in a drone attack on four vessels, including a tanker carrying methanol, in the Taganrog Bay on the Sea of ​​Azov, Russian authorities said today.

On Friday, fires broke out at two fuel depots and at the seaport of Taganrog following drone attacks.

The Russian Defense Ministry announced that air defense units shot down a total of 178 Ukrainian drones over various regions overnight.