Kiev is under attack. Zelensky calls for a stronger Western stance

Russian overnight drone strikes have hit several areas of Ukraine and severely damaged energy infrastructure. The most serious situation is in the western Ukrainian Volyn region, where over 103 thousand households are without electricity. Outages have also been recorded in Odessa and Chernihiv.

The Ministry of Energy has confirmed that the extent of the damage is "considerable", with repair work already started in some locations, while elsewhere teams are sheltered from the ongoing attacks.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram that Russia had attacked with nearly 500 drones and dozens of missiles, including "kinzhal", since overnight. The targets were primarily civilian and energy infrastructure in and around Kiev.

Some residential buildings have been hit, and a manhunt is underway under the rubble of one of them.

Zelensky criticised the Russian response to peace proposals from the West - instead of dialogue, he said, Moscow is talking "daggers and shahids".

He called for a stronger response from partners, including the US and EU, and appealed for an acceleration of air defence deliveries. He warned that even diplomacy cannot work without security.

(reuters, pir)