Russia strikes Kyiv, other Ukrainian cities; many die

People being treated at the scene of Russian shelling, in Kyiv Monday. Pic/AP

Russia unleashed a lethal barrage of strikes against multiple Ukrainian cities Monday, smashing civilian targets including downtown Kyiv where at least eight people were killed.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the strikes were retaliation for what he called Kyiv's "terrorist" actions, including an attack last weekend on a key bridge between Russia and the annexed Crimean Peninsula that is prized by the Kremlin.

Volodymyr Zelensky, president, Ukraine

At least eight people were killed and 24 injured in just one of the Kyiv strikes, according to preliminary information, said Rostyslav Smirnov, an adviser to the Ukrainian ministry of internal affairs. Putin, speaking in a video call with members of Russia's Security Council, said the Russian military launched "precision weapons" from the air, sea and ground to target key energy and military command facilities.

Also Read: Strikes on Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia kill 17, says Official

Residential areas hit

But the sustained barrage on major cities hit residential areas and critical infrastructure facilities alike, portending a major surge in the war amid a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive in recent weeks. Blasts struck in the capital's Shevchenko district, a large area in the centre of Kyiv that includes the historic old town as well as several government offices, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

Some of the strikes hit near the government quarter in the symbolic heart of the capital, where Parliament and other major landmarks are located. A glass tower housing offices was significantly damaged, most of its blue-tinted windows blown out.

Residents were seen on the streets with blood on their clothes and hands. A young man wearing a blue jacket sat on the ground as a medic wrapped a bandage around his head. A woman with bandages wrapped around her head had blood all over the front of her blouse. Several cars were also damaged or completely destroyed. Air raid sirens sounded repeatedly across the country and in Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian forces launched dozens of missiles and Iranian-built drones against Ukraine. The General Staff of the Ukraine Armed Forces said 75 missiles were fired against Ukrainian targets, with 41 of them neutralized by air defenses.

‘Targets were civilian areas'

The targets were civilian areas and energy facilities in 10 cities, Zelensky said in a video address. "(The Russians) chose such a time and such targets on purpose to inflict the most damage," he said.

Zelensky said on his Telegram account that Russia is "trying to destroy us and wipe us off the face of the earth."

The Group of Seven leaders will hold a call on Tuesday with Zelensky, UK Prime Minister Liz Truss's spokesman said.

NATO condemns the attacks by Russia on civilian targets in Ukraine, the alliance's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday.

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