Overnight and Saturday's Russian missile strikes in Ukraine resulted in eight fatalities and 12 injuries, officials confirmed.
Kharkiv region governor Oleh Syniehubov reported six deaths and 11 injuries from missile attacks overnight in Kharkiv, the country's second-largest city. The strikes inflicted damage to residential buildings, a gas station, a kindergarten, a cafe, a shop, and vehicles.
Later on Saturday, another missile strike in Kharkiv resulted in one fatality and one injury, as announced by Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov. Additionally, a civilian was killed in the southern Odesa region due to a missile strike, according to Odesa governor Oleh Kiper.
The Russian military fired 32 Iranian-made Shahed drones and six missiles at Ukraine overnight, as disclosed by the air force commander. Ukrainian air defense forces successfully intercepted three cruise missiles and 28 drones, according to Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk, who condemned the ongoing attacks on peaceful cities.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that the strikes targeted military facilities in Ukraine, including those involved in armored vehicle production and repair, military airfields, and alleged areas with foreign mercenaries. Russia asserted that all intended targets were hit.
In response, Ukraine reportedly fired Vampire rockets at Russia, but all ten were intercepted by Russian air defense systems over the border region of Belgorod. The intercepted rockets caused damage to residential buildings in Belgorod, according to Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.
On the ground, Ukrainian forces are facing challenges in repelling Russian advances, particularly in the Bakhmut area of the eastern Donetsk region. Russian forces are conducting offensive operations with armored vehicles and infantry assaults. Despite these challenges, Ukrainian forces maintain control over Chasiv Yar, with fierce battles ongoing near Avdiivka and tensions high in other areas along the front line.
