Zelensky Condemns 'Vile' Russian Attacks Killing 15

At least 15 people died in overnight Russian strikes that hit central and eastern Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelensky calling the attacks some of Russia's "most vile." The strikes targeted cities including Kyiv, Dnipro, Kremenchuk, Zaporizhzhia, and Oleksandriya.

In Pryluky, Chernihiv region, a residential building was destroyed. Zelensky stated that five people were killed and 26 injured, including five children, in Pryluky, and that rescue operations were underway with people potentially trapped in the rubble. The death toll later rose to nine as emergency workers recovered the bodies of three children.

Zelensky said that approximately 70 missiles were fired and that Ukraine managed to shoot down "some" of them. He reiterated a call for allies to provide more air defense systems, noting that the "key targets" of the attack appeared to be Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Moscow had previously stated it would intensify strikes on Ukraine's energy facilities following Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy sites.

In retaliation, Zelensky reported that Ukraine had struck four targets within the past 24 hours, including two oil facilities and a training ground in Russia's Perm, Samara, and Astrakhan regions. He also mentioned "a response in the Black Sea."

Separately, an oil tanker, the Liberian-flagged Aframax Rio, was attacked by unmanned boats off the coast of Sochi in the Black Sea, according to Russian authorities. The crew was reportedly rescued.

In related Black Sea incidents, Bulgaria has ceased its search for the missing crew of a ship that sank after being hit by a drone. Another vessel carrying grain was also struck within Bulgaria's economic zone, though its 18 crew members were rescued. Bulgaria has not attributed blame for these attacks.

Russia has intensified its strikes in the Black Sea region as part of its ongoing war with Ukraine. Zelensky claimed Russia was responsible for the recent incidents involving the two vessels.