KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian authorities said more than 30 drones were shot down over the country’s western regions overnight into Sunday, just hours after a Russian bomb attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, killed three killed people and left dozens in hospitals.
One of four aerial bombs hit a five-story residential building Saturday afternoon, officials said. Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said 41 people were still being treated for injuries.
In a video address after the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Ukrainian partners to do so to strengthen its air defenses.
“Modern air defense systems for Ukraine – such as Patriots, accelerated training of our pilots for F-16s and, above all, sufficient range for our weapons – are really necessary,” he said.
Two people were injured by falling debris when two Russian missiles were shot down over the Kiev region overnight, Ukrainian air force commander Mykola Oleschuk said.
In Russia, air defense forces shot down 33 Ukrainian drones over the western regions of Bryansk, Smolensk, Lipetsk and Tula, the Russian Defense Ministry said. No casualties or damage were reported.
Regional Governor Vadym Filashkin of Ukraine’s partly occupied Donetsk region said Russian attacks on Saturday killed two people and wounded four.
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