Russian strikes kill 12 in Ukraine as Zelenskyy seeks stronger air defences

Kyiv,UPDATED: Jun 30, 2026 00:48 IST

Russian missiles and drones killed at least 12 civilians and injured 40 others in Ukraine on Monday, in what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as "horrific attacks". The strikes came as the war continued to take a heavy toll on civilians, with the UN saying more than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of its neighbour more than four years ago.

The attacks also disrupted daily life beyond the immediate casualty toll. Ukraine's grid operator said some customers in eight regions were left without power after the strikes, while hot weather pushed up electricity use as people switched on air conditioners.

A Russian missile aimed at infrastructure hit the central city of Dnipro, killing six people and injuring 29, according to Dnipropetrovsk regional head Oleksandr Hanzha. In the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, Russian drones struck a passenger minibus, killing three people and injuring six, including a child, Zelenskyy said on social media.

In the northeastern Sumy region, Russian drones killed a 69-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man, the Police said. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said a daytime Russian strike on the city killed one person and injured five others. Authorities also reported deadly attacks in at least six other regions of Ukraine, though no further details were immediately available.

Zelenskyy renewed his appeal to Europe to speed up the development of air defences against Russian ballistic missiles. "People need greater protection from such horrific attacks," he said. "Above all, we need anti-ballistic capabilities. It is essential that Europe is as active as possible in developing its own anti-ballistic defence - its own systems and missiles."

Western officials say the war has seen a marked shift in recent months as Ukraine's expanding drone strikes have led to fuel shortages in Russia and Russian-occupied territory. Analysts say the attacks have weakened Russian military supply lines to the front in eastern and southern Ukraine, slowing their advance. Ukraine's drone engineering has also given it an edge and made it a world leader in the military use of the technology, allowing it to help partner countries after previously seeking foreign military support.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that Ukrainian long-range drone attacks on Russia's oil facilities had caused fuel shortages, leading to public anger and long queues at petrol stations. However, he ruled out concessions to end the invasion and insisted Russia would ultimately prevail despite what he called "temporary" setbacks. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia's position on Ukraine had not changed and said Russian troops were continuing their front-line offensive. Their effort "makes us confident that our goals will be achieved," Peskov told reporters.

The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War said the Kremlin's stance was an attempt to pressure the West and Ukraine into accepting Russia's demands. But it added that "Russia's battlefield performance continues to decline in 2026 and Russia's ability to seize its objectives militarily is in question." Russia's Defence Ministry said its air defences shot down 209 Ukrainian drones from late Sunday to early Monday, while Ukraine's air force said it shot down 82 of the 108 drones launched by Russia overnight. The latest exchanges underlined both the scale of the fighting and the continuing strain on civilians and infrastructure in Ukraine.

With PTI Inputs

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