KIEV, June 2 (Reuters) – Russia bombarded cities in Ukraine with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in the early hours of Tuesday, in attacks that authorities said killed 18 people and injured more than 100.
The attacks on cities such as Kiev and Dnipro followed Russian warnings of ’systematic’ attacks on the capital after a deadly drone attack on a dormitory in Ukraine’s Russian-controlled Luhansk region last month, which Kiev denies carrying out.
It was the third heavy attack on Kiev in less than a month. Russia has intensified attacks on the neighboring country, which it invaded in 2022, while Washington focuses on Iran and US-brokered negotiations on the war in Ukraine are at a standstill, with a stalemate on the battlefield and Kiev regularly hitting oil refineries in Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia fired 73 missiles and more than 600 drones in the overnight attack and again called on Washington to send additional Patriot missile interceptors to replenish Kiev’s dwindling supplies.
“This was a large-scale attack and an absolutely clear statement from Russia: if Ukraine is not protected against ballistic missile and other attacks, these attacks will continue,” Zelenskiy said on Telegram.
The Kremlin said on Tuesday that the war had entered ‘a new paradigm’ following what it called ‘inhumane acts of terror’ by Ukraine’s military against civilians. Moscow warned last week of systemic attacks and urged foreigners to leave Kiev.
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Zelenskiy sent a letter last week to US President Donald Trump and Congress requesting air defense systems. As of Monday, authorities said he had not received a response.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on partners to take ‘concrete steps’ to help Ukraine and put pressure on Russia.
“Peace efforts will only be successful when they are backed by real pressure on Moscow,” he said in a post on X, calling for tougher sanctions and more military support.
Moscow’s war in Ukraine has killed tens of thousands of people, forced much of the population from their homes and devastated cities and towns, and Russia controls about a fifth of Ukraine.
Ukraine has also struck civilian targets during attacks against Russia or Russian-occupied areas, although on a much smaller scale. Both sides deny targeting civilians.
