Russia Missiles, Drones Bombard Ukraine04/16 06:06

   

   KYIV, Ukraine (AP) -- Russia hammered civilian areas of Ukraine with 
hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in an attack that stretched for hours 
from daytime into the night, killing at least 16 people and injuring more than 
80 others as terrified residents cowered in their homes, officials said 
Thursday.

   Russia launched nearly 700 drones and dozens of ballistic and cruise 
missiles, primarily targeting civilians, in its biggest aerial barrage in 
almost two weeks, authorities said.

   Tetiana Sokol, a 54-year-old resident of Kyiv, said two missiles hit near 
her home and she took cover with her dog in the hallway as flashes lit up the 
night and windows shattered from the blast wave.

   "On the third attack everything broke, everything flew, we were shocked, we 
didn't know where to run. I grabbed whatever came to hand and ran away with the 
dog," she told The Associated Press. "I still can't find the cats in the house, 
they climbed out somewhere, I don't even know. No windows, nothing, the dog is 
still walking around in stress."

   Moscow's forces have hit civilian areas almost daily since its all-out 
invasion of its neighbor more than four years ago, with the regular assaults 
occasionally punctuated by massive attacks. More than 15,000 Ukrainian 
civilians have died in the strikes, the United Nations says.

   Zelenskyy on a mission to improve air defenses

   The latest bombardment came in the wake of Ukrainian President Volodymyr 
Zelenskyy's 48-hour trip this week to Germany, Norway and Italy in an urgent 
search for more air defense systems that can stop Russian missiles.

   Ukraine has developed a significant domestic arms industry, especially in 
the production of drones and missiles, but it can't yet match the 
sophistication of U.S. Patriot air defense systems. Ukraine's top diplomatic 
priority is securing allies' help to buy and build more and better air 
defenses, Zelenskyy said this week.

   Cash-strapped Ukraine also needs the speedy disbursement of a promised loan 
from the European Union of 90 billion euros ($106 billion) that has been 
blocked by Hungary.

   Ukraine fears the Iran war is burning through stockpiles of the advanced 
American-made systems it needs, and has argued against a U.S. temporary waiver 
on Russian oil sanctions that Kyiv says is helping finance the Kremlin's war 
effort.

   "Another night has proven that Russia does not deserve any easing of global 
policy or lifting of sanctions," Zelenskyy said on X.

   He thanked Germany, Norway and Italy for new agreements this week on 
supporting Ukraine's air defense. Officials are also working with the 
Netherlands on additional supplies, he said.

   At the same time, he noted that some partner countries haven't followed 
through on pledges of military support.

   "I have instructed the Commander of the Air Force to contact those partners 
who earlier committed to providing missiles for Patriot and other systems," 
Zelenskyy said.

   Other areas of Ukraine and Russia were also hit

   The bombardment was the biggest in weeks. Last month, Russia fired 948 
drones and 34 missiles in the space of 24 hours in the largest assault of the 
war on civilian areas.

   At least four people were killed overnight in Kyiv, including a 12-year-old, 
with more than 50 others injured, according to authorities. Officials said the 
attack damaged 17 apartment buildings, 10 private homes, as well as a hotel, 
office center, car dealership, gas station and a shopping mall in the capital.

   Nine people were killed and 23 injured in the southern port city of Odesa, 
three women were killed and around three dozen injured in the central Dnipro 
region, and one person was killed in Zaporizhzhia in the south.

   "Such attacks cannot be normalized. These are war crimes that must be 
stopped and their perpetrators held to account," Ukraine's Foreign Minister 
Andrii Sybiha said on X.

   Ukraine's air force said air defenses shot down or disabled 667 out of 703 
incoming targets, including 636 Shahed-type drones and other uncrewed aerial 
vehicles.

   It said 20 strike drones and 12 missiles hit 26 locations.

   Meanwhile, in Russia, Krasnodar regional Gov. Veniamin Kondratyev reported 
that a 14-year-old girl and a woman were killed in Ukrainian strikes in the 
Black Sea port of Tuapse.

   He said that attacks damaged six apartment buildings, 24 private houses and 
three schools. Drone fragments also fell near the port of Tuapse.

   Russia's Defense Ministry said that its air defenses downed 207 Ukrainian 
drones overnight.