Russia shot down 33 Ukrainian drones hours after a deadly bomb attack in Kharkiv

Russian authorities said more than 30 drones were shot down over the country’s western regions on Sunday night, just hours after a Russian bomb attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, killed three people and sent dozens to hospitals. .

Authorities said one of four aerial bombs hit a five-story apartment building on Saturday afternoon. The region’s governor, Oleh Synehubov, said 41 people were still being treated for injuries.

In a video speech released after the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Ukraine’s partners to strengthen their air defense.

“Modern air defense systems for Ukraine – such as Patriots, accelerated training of our F-16 pilots and, most importantly, sufficient range of our weapons – are really needed,” he said.

Two people were injured by falling debris after two Russian missiles were shot down over the Kiev region overnight, said Mykola Oleschuk, commander of the Ukrainian Air Force.

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that in Russia, air defense forces shot down 33 Ukrainian drones over the western regions of Bryansk, Smolensk, Lipetsk and Tula. No casualties or damage were reported.

Regional Governor Vadym Filashkin of the partially Ukrainian-occupied Donetsk region said two people were killed and four injured in Saturday’s Russian attacks.