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Russia pounds Kyiv, six dead including two children — Zelensky

22.10.2025 11:45
Russia launched overnight drone and missile attacks across Ukraine, killing six people including two children and wounding 17, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, as Kyiv reported fires, building strikes and power cuts and urged tougher sanctions and air defenses.
Roman, 38, inspects a damaged home at the site of a Russian airstrike on a private building in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine, 21 October 2025, amid the Russian invasion. Russian forces launched overnight strikes on the city, injuring at least eight people and damaging 14 private buildings and one civilian business, according to the head of the Khar
Roman, 38, inspects a damaged home at the site of a Russian airstrike on a private building in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine, 21 October 2025, amid the Russian invasion. Russian forces launched overnight strikes on the city, injuring at least eight people and damaging 14 private buildings and one civilian business, according to the head of the KharPhoto: EPA/SERGEY KOZLOV

Zelensky said ten regions came under fire, with energy infrastructure the main target and multiple residential hits.

He listed Kyiv, Odesa, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, Cherkasy and Sumy regions among those affected.

Kyiv sounded three air-raid alerts after midnight. Explosions and air-defense fire were heard, and smoke hung over parts of the city. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said one person died in the Dniprovskyi district after a drone struck a 17-story building at the sixth floor; authorities later reported a second death. Missile debris triggered a fire in the Pecherskyi district, while an 18-story building in Darnytsia was also hit, causing another blaze.

In Zaporizhzhia, 13 people were injured and more than 2,000 residents lost power as apartment blocks and private homes were damaged, regional military head Ivan Fedorov said. In Poltava region, gas infrastructure was hit, but there were no casualties, local officials said.

Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk said the assault focused on Ukraine’s power sector and that the “mass attack” was ongoing.

Zelensky said Russia “still does not feel enough pressure” for prolonging the war. He urged the European Union to adopt a strong sanctions package and called for decisive measures from the United States and other G7 countries.

“Russian words about diplomacy mean nothing until [its] leaders feel critical problems,” he said, adding that providing Ukraine with air-defense systems, missiles and long-range strike capabilities would save lives and hasten the end of the war.

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Source: PAP