12 Ukrainians killed in 'biggest ever' Russian drone attack
Listen to article
Russia launched a record number of drones against Ukraine and killed 12 people across the country, officials said on Sunday, even as Kyiv and Moscow completed their biggest prisoner exchange since the start of the war.
Ukraine's emergency services described a night of "terror" as Russia launched a second straight night of massive air strikes, including on the capital Kyiv.
The attacks came even as the two countries completed their biggest prisoner swap since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, with 1,000 captured soldiers and civilian prisoners exchanged by each side.
The death toll from the latest Russian strikes included two children, aged eight and 12, and a 17-year-old, killed in the northwestern region of Zhytomyr, officials said.
Their school named the dead children as Roman, Tamara and Stanislav in a post on Facebook, saying: "Their memory will always be with us. We will never forgive".
"Without truly strong pressure on the Russian leadership, this brutality cannot be stopped," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media.
"The silence of America, the silence of others around the world only encourages Putin," he said, adding: "Sanctions will certainly help."
The European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, called for "the strongest international pressure on Russia to stop this war".
"Last night's attacks again show Russia bent on more suffering and the annihilation of Ukraine. Devastating to see children among innocent victims harmed and killed," she said on social media.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
3 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Air India plane crash: reactions from across the world
Many people were killed when an Air India plane bound for London with 242 people on board crashed minutes after taking off from India's western city of Ahmedabad on Thursday, authorities said. All 242 people on board Air India plane have died, Indian Express reports Here's what world leaders have said so far: Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, on X: 'The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words.' 'In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.' British prime minister Keir Starmer, on X: 'The scenes emerging of a London-bound plane carrying many British nationals crashing in the Indian city of Ahmedabad are devastating.' 'I am being kept updated as the situation develops, and my thoughts are with the passengers and their families at this deeply distressing time.' Britain's King Charles, in a statement on X: 'My wife and I have been desperately shocked by the terrible events in Ahmedabad this morning. Our special prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with the families and friends of all those affected by this appallingly tragic incident across so many nations, as they await news of their loved ones.' Bangladesh chief adviser Muhammad Yunus in a message to Modi: 'We extend our deepest condolences to all the families who lost their dear ones at this tragic incident.' 'We stand in solidarity with the people and Government of India, and offer our full support in any form.' European Commission president Ursula Von Der Leyen, on X: 'My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones grieving this terrible loss.' 'Dear @narendramodi, Europe stands in solidarity with you and the people of India in this moment of sorrow.' Russian president Vladimir Putin to Modi, in an official Telegram published on Kremlin website: 'Please accept my deep condolences on the tragic consequences of the airliner crash at Ahmedabad airport.' 'Please convey words of sincere sympathy and support to the families and friends of the victims, as well as wishes of a swift recovery to all those injured in this catastrophe.' French president Emmanuel Macron, on X: 'We have learned with deep emotion of the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. In this time of sorrow, I extend our heartfelt thoughts to the victims' loved ones and to Prime Minister @NarendraModi.' Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, on X: 'The news of a passenger plane crash in Ahmedabad is absolutely devastating. In this time of tragedy, Australia's thoughts are with everyone affected.' 'Our government is receiving regular updates and we will continue to monitor the situation closely.' IRISH PRIME MINISTER MICHEAL MARTIN, ON X: 'My thoughts and prayers are with the people of India after the terrible plane crash in Ahmedabad earlier today. Thinking of the families of all those on board, along with the emergency services attending the scene.' General secretary of British airline pilots' association Amy Leversidge: 'Pilots around the globe are deeply saddened by this news. Members of the British Airline Pilots' Association send condolences to all those affected. 'It is vital a full and thorough investigation is now carried out without interference or unhelpful speculation about the contributory factors so that future tragedies can be avoided.'
Business Recorder
4 hours ago
- Business Recorder
NATO chief hopeful of spending deal as meets allies in Rome
ROME: NATO chief Mark Rutte said Thursday he was 'pretty confident' of getting a deal on boosting defence spending at a summit later this month, as he met European allies in Rome. He joined foreign ministers and diplomats from Italy, France, Germany, Britain, Poland, Spain, Ukraine and the EU to discuss defence spending and their support for Kyiv, as Russia escalates its bombardments. The meeting of the so-called 'Weimar+' group comes ahead of a G7 summit in Canada on June 15-17, where allies will push US President Donald Trump to be more aggressive in punishing the Kremlin. It will be followed by a NATO meeting in The Hague on June 24-25, where the focus will be reaching a deal that satisfies Trump's demands to spend five percent of GDP on defence. Rutte is urging NATO members to commit to 3.5 percent of GDP on direct military spending by 2032, and an additional 1.5 percent on broader security-related expenditure. NATO chief to urge 400-percent rise in alliance's air defence 'We are discussing the final decisions we will take in The Hague. I'm pretty confident indeed… that we will get to a joint position, all 32 (members)', he told reporters heading into the talks in Rome. He praised Trump's efforts to reach a peace deal in Ukraine by talking directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying 'he broke the deadlock' – even if the discussions are stalled. Russia has fired record numbers of drones and missiles at Ukraine over recent weeks, escalating three years of daily bombardments as it outlines hardline demands – rejected by Kyiv as 'ultimatums' – to halt the war. Rutte noted that Russia had sent a historian to talks in Istanbul, 'explaining more or less that Ukraine is at fault here. I think that's not helpful, but at least, step by step, we try to make progress'. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, the meeting host whose country spends 1.5 percent of GDP on defence, said he was 'very happy' with Rutte's spending plan. 'For Italy it's important to spend more but we need more time, 10 years, I think it is more or less possible to achieve this goal,' he said.
Business Recorder
8 hours ago
- Business Recorder
European shares tumble as trade, geopolitical tensions mount
European shares dropped on Thursday, in their fourth straight session of declines, as trade optimism stemming from U.S.-China trade talks faded, while mounting geopolitical tensions led to the markets being more cautious. The pan-European STOXX 600 was down 0.4% at 549.41 points at 0707 GMT, while most regional bourses were also in the red. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he was willing to extend the deadline for trade talks but it was not likely necessary as the U.S. will send offer letters to countries in a week or so. However, markets were a little concerned about the European Union being able to clinch a deal before Trump's July 8 deadline - when the tariff pause expires. Geopolitical worries added more caution to markets already navigating U.S. tariff-driven uncertainty after trade talks with China did not offer a solution to de-escalate longstanding tensions. European shares slip as markets unfazed by US-China deal U.S. personnel were being moved out of the Middle East because 'it could be a dangerous place' amid rising tensions with Iran, Trump said on Wednesday. In the market, travel and leisure stocks were the worst hit, down 1.7%, while industrial miners fell 1.1%. Among stocks, BE Semiconductor Industries (BESI) jumped 7.7% after raising its long-term financial targets ahead of its investor day. Tesco gained 1.3% after Britain's biggest food retailer's domestic sales growth accelerated in its first quarter.
