Ukraine Latest: Russia Targets Cities With New Missile Strikes

Russia targeted Ukrainian cities with cruise missiles in the early hours of Monday that Ukraine’s army chief said were mostly intercepted.

(Bloomberg) — Russia targeted Ukrainian cities with cruise missiles in the early hours of Monday that Ukraine’s army chief said were mostly intercepted. 

The barrage comes after several days of heightened attacks on Ukraine, which is preparing for another ground offensive against Russian forces. 

Ukraine pushed back Russian troops from some positions in the city of Bakhmut, where fierce battles have raged for months, according to the commander of its ground forces.

Key Developments

  • Russia Strikes Across Ukraine as Kyiv Says New Offensive Nears
  • Wagner’s Prigozhin Warns He’s Ready to Withdraw From Bakhmut
  • Bank of Russia Sees Economy Growing as Sanctions Shock Fades
  • Russian Oil Still Powering Europe’s Cars With Help of India 

(All times CET)

Ukraine Gained Some Ground in Bakhmut, Commander Says (10:30 a.m.)

Ukrainian army counterattacks forced Russia to withdraw from some positions in Bakhmut, Ground Forces Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Telegram after visiting troops fighting in the eastern city and other areas on Sunday. The situation in the area remains difficult and intense, he said.

Despite big losses, Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group and other units continue attacks in Bakhmut but have failed to break through Ukrainian defenses and take the city under control, according to Syrskyi. 

Missile Strike in Dnipropetrovsk Region Injures 34 (10:30 a.m.)

A cruise missile that hit Ukraine’s central Dnipropetrovsk region injured 34 people including five children, the regional governor’s office said on Telegram. 

Earlier, the regional governor’s office reported that a factory in Pavlohrad and 44 residential buildings including 19 high-rise apartment blocks, and also shops and schools, were damaged in the explosion.

Ukraine Says 15 Out Of 18 Missiles Shot Down (7:10 a.m.)

Four Russian strategic aircraft launched a total of 18 Kha-101 and Kha-555 cruise missiles at Ukraine around 2:30 a.m., Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi said on Telegram. Ukraine shot down 15 of them. Two Tu-95 airplanes flew from Russia’s Murmansk region and two Tu-160 from the Caspian Sea area, he said. 

Russian Missiles Target Kyiv, Major Cities (4:27 a.m.)

Authorities in Kyiv said air defense systems were working after Russian missile strikes set off air sirens early morning in the capital and across the country.

Local media reported that explosions were also heard in the central city of Dnipro, which has about one million residents. A Russian missile on Friday struck an apartment building in Uman, south of Kyiv, killing 23 civilians. Two others were killed separately in Dnipro. 

Macron, Zelenskiy Discuss Military Aid (8:02 p.m.)

President Emmanuel Macron spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy and reiterated France’s commitment to providing Ukraine the help it needs to restore sovereignty and territorial integrity, Macron’s office said in a statement. 

In the phone call on Sunday, Macron also discussed Europe’s coordination of military aid “to be able to respond to Ukraine’s needs over time.”

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