In a fresh wave of Russian attacks on Ukraine, seven people, including three children, were killed in the western city of Lviv, according to the city’s mayor.
This new assault comes as Ukraine continues to grieve the loss of at least 50 individuals from a previous attack on a military institute in Poltava.
Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovy reported that the early Wednesday strike involved drones and hypersonic missiles.
The victims included a baby, a 14-year-old girl, and a midwife, as detailed by local officials.
In addition to the fatalities, explosions were reported in Kyiv, where air defenses intercepted incoming Russian missiles.
In Kryvyy Rih, five people sustained injuries when residential buildings were hit.
The Ukrainian military has issued a nationwide air alert in response to the ongoing threats.
Mayor Sadovy also mentioned that several residential buildings are ablaze, and two schools in Lviv will be closed due to the attacks.
Rescue operations are ongoing in Poltava, where emergency workers are sifting through debris at the site of the military institute attack.
According to Ukraine’s defense ministry, many people were unable to reach bomb shelters in time after the air raid sirens sounded.
President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed that those responsible for the attacks, whom he referred to as “Russian scum,” would face consequences.
He reiterated his call for enhanced air defense systems to bolster Ukraine’s ability to carry out long-range missile strikes for self-defense.
Lviv, which had largely been shielded from severe conflict during the past two and a half years of war, experienced its first significant strikes last week targeting its energy infrastructure, leading to outages.
Moscow has yet to comment on the latest attacks. Meanwhile, President Zelensky is scheduled to meet with the Irish Taoiseach on Wednesday.
Ireland is preparing to announce a new aid package for Ukraine, including €43 million in support.
This funding will be allocated through Irish Aid and aims to provide essential humanitarian assistance,
Support for rehabilitation and reconstruction, and contribute to Ukraine’s long-term recovery efforts.
