At least four people were killed and fifteen wounded in "massive" Russian strikes on several regions of Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv where energy infrastructure was targeted, authorities announced Saturday.

 

"The kyiv region has experienced another difficult night. Unfortunately, the death toll has now risen to four. Fifteen residents of the region have been injured," announced the regional governor, Mykola Kalachnyk, on Telegram, adding that the toll could still increase.

 

According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, the "massive attack" also targeted the regions of Sumy (north), Kharkiv (northeast), Dnipro (central), and Mykolaiv (south).

 

"The main target of the Russians was the energy infrastructure of the kyiv region, but unfortunately, residential buildings, schools and civilian businesses were also hit hard and damaged," he said.

 

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, 430 drones and 68 missiles were fired by Russia during this attack, of which 402 and 58 respectively were intercepted.

 

"Every night of Russian strikes of this type reminds all our partners that air defenses and the missiles that equip them are in reality a daily necessity," argued Mr. Zelensky.

 

Since the start of the war in the Middle East, Ukraine has been concerned about Western air defense capabilities being redirected to that region rather than potentially being supplied to Kyiv.

 

During his visit to France on Friday, where he was received by President Emmanuel Macron, Mr. Zelensky also expressed concern that the temporary lifting of US sanctions against Russian oil would bring Moscow new sources of income to finance its war effort.

 

The United States has proposed new talks, mediated by the US, next week between Russia and Ukraine in an attempt to find a solution to the conflict. Previous rounds of negotiations failed to produce tangible progress, stalling particularly on the issue of territory.

AFP