Russian attack kills at least 18 in Ukraine; Zelenskyy requests US aid
Russia launched a large-scale assault on multiple Ukrainian cities early Tuesday, killing at least 18 people and injuring more than 100, according to Ukrainian authorities. The southeastern city of Dnipro saw 12 dead, including two children, and 35 wounded, while Kyiv reported six dead and 65 injured, including three children. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia fired over 650 drones and 70 ballistic, cruise and anti-ship missiles overnight. He pleaded for additional U.S. assistance, specifically Patriot missile systems, to protect Ukrainian cities. Residents in Kyiv sought shelter in the subway system, with more than 41,000 people recorded there during the attack. The Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged the strikes, saying they targeted military infrastructure in response to what it called terrorist attacks by Ukraine. Moscow has warned previously of systematic strikes and cited a drone strike on a dormitory in Russian-held Luhansk that killed 21 as justification.
What’s reported
At least 18 people killed and more than 100 injured across Ukraine early Tuesday.
In Dnipro, 12 killed (including two children) and 35 injured; about 50 buildings damaged, and a rescuer died in a double-tap strike.
In Kyiv, six killed and 65 injured (including three children); multiple residential buildings damaged or caught fire.
President Zelenskyy said Russia launched more than 650 drones and 70 missiles.
Zelenskyy asked for U.S. supplies of missiles for Patriot systems.
More than 41,000 people took shelter in the Kyiv subway system.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated it was targeting military infrastructure in response to what it called terrorist attacks by the Ukrainian government.
Russia warned last week of systematic strikes on Kyiv-linked military targets, citing a previous drone strike on a Luhansk dormitory that killed 21.
Conflicting accounts
Russia says it does not target civilians, despite attacks leveling towns and killing thousands of civilians. Russia claims its strikes responded to a drone strike on a dormitory in Luhansk that it calls a terrorist attack against children; Ukraine denied targeting civilians in that incident.
Open questions
Whether the United States will provide additional air defense aid in response to Zelenskyy’s request.
Key figures
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Ukraine)
Mayor Vitali Klitschko (Kyiv)
Governor Oleksandr Hanzha (Dnipro region)
Russian President Vladimir Putin
Resident Iryna Bilichenko (Kyiv)
Resident Olena Kozachenko (Kyiv)
Sources: NBC News
