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Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukrainian targets in the past few months
Russian missile attacks killed seven people in the Odessa region of southern Ukraine and Kharkov in northeastern Ukraine.
A 10-year-old girl was among four people killed in Odesa late Wednesday in an attack that coincided with the city’s liberation from the Nazis during World War II.
Two women and a 14-year-old girl were killed in an attack on a pharmacy in northern Ukraine near the Russian border, officials said.
Russia’s recent attacks have specifically targeted Ukraine’s energy sector.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said power infrastructure was attacked by more than 40 missiles and 40 drones in five regions early Thursday.
Officials said around 200,000 people were without power in the Kharkiv region alone, and Zelenskiy appealed for more international aid.
“We need air defense and other defense support, and this is not a matter of turning a blind eye or protracted discussion.”
A multibillion-dollar aid package for Kiev continues to be blocked by Republicans in the US Congress.
The commander of the Ukrainian Air Force said that 57 of 82 Russian airborne weapons were destroyed, but that air defense forces were unable to intercept any Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles or S-300 guided missiles fired by Russian MIG fighters. He said there was no.
Ukrainian officials accused the Russian military of targeting civilians with a second missile strike after another, using double-tap tactics aimed at killing emergency workers who arrived at the scene.
Governor Kiper said ballistic missiles were used in the attack on Odesa between 18:00 and 18:30 (15:00 and 15:30 GMT) on Wednesday.
Attacks on Kharkiv, the largest city closest to Russia’s border, have intensified in recent weeks. Ukrainian officials said the city could be a target for future Russian attacks.
The country’s second-largest city has suffered extensive damage from months of Russian shelling since President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Ukraine has suffered setbacks on the ground in recent months.
Ukraine’s military is running low on ammunition as vital U.S. aid is blocked by former President Donald Trump’s allies in Congress.
US House of Commons Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to vote on a bill that would provide $60bn (£48bn) of military aid to Ukraine.
The top U.S. commander in Europe told Congress Wednesday that without U.S. help, Ukraine would run out of artillery shells and air defense interceptors “quite quickly.”
Gen. Christopher Cavoly said Russia is currently firing five shells for every one Ukrainian army fires, and that the difference could soon increase to 10:1.
“Without our support, they will not be able to win,” General Cavoli said.
Video: ‘Now or never’: US needs to send aid to Ukraine, say lawmakers
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