London: Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched a series of missile strikes on several Ukrainian cities - including the capital Kyiv - killing and wounding dozens and damaging a children’s cancer hospital.
In the biggest bombardment for several months the rockets - fired in broad daylight - also hit the southern cities of Dnipro, Kropyvnytskyi and Kryviy Rih.
Emergency workers at the site of Okhmatdyt children’s hospital hit by Russian missiles.Credit: AP
At least seven people were killed and others are injured after a missile attack on Kyiv, local authorities say, while at least 20 people have been killed and 31 injured in the central city of Kryvyi Rih in the Dnipro region.
The strikes took place on the eve of the NATO summit in Washington, where Ukraine hopes to receive long-term aid commitments from the allies amid Europe’s biggest conflict since the Second World War.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is visiting Poland, said that Russia had fired some 40 missiles at targets across the country.
“And the entire world must use all its determination to finally put an end to the Russian strikes,” Zelensky said on X. “Killing is what (Vladimir) Putin brings. Only together can we bring real peace and security.”
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russian forces launched multiple ballistic and cruise missiles with explosions heard and felt across the capital. The attack included Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, which fly at 10 times the speed of sound, the air force said.
The Kyiv military administration said on Telegram that at least seven people have been killed in the city and a further nine people are injured. People have been urged to stay in shelters across the city.
Smoke rises over the Kyiv skyline after a Russian attack.Credit: AP