Russian Strikes Kill 12 in Ukraine as Zelenskyy Urges Europe to Build Air Defenses
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 29
Russian Strikes Kill 12 in Ukraine as Zelenskyy Urges Europe to Build Air Defenses
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 29
Summary
At least 12 civilians were killed and 40 wounded Monday as Russian missiles and drones hit Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy and Kharkiv, with authorities also reporting deadly attacks in at least six other regions.
Dnipro took the heaviest confirmed toll—six dead and 29 injured—while a drone strike on a passenger minibus in Zaporizhzhia killed three and wounded six, including a child.
Eight Ukrainian regions suffered power outages after the strikes, with hot weather lifting electricity demand as residents relied on air conditioners, grid operator Ukrenergo said.
Zelenskyy called the attacks "horrific" and renewed his appeal for Europe to develop anti-ballistic systems, saying stronger air defenses are needed to protect civilians.
The barrage came as both sides kept up drone warfare: Ukraine said it downed 82 of 108 Russian drones overnight, while Russia said it intercepted 209 Ukrainian drones.
As Ukraine's drones cripple Russia's oil industry, can Putin's war machine survive a prolonged fuel crisis?
With AI-powered drones winning battles for Ukraine, is Russia's conventional military might becoming obsolete?
Russia is systematically replacing Ukrainians in occupied lands. Can this demographic re-engineering ever be undone?
1.4 Million Russian Losses and Rising Civilian Casualties: The Human and Strategic Toll of Russia’s Infrastructure War in Ukraine
Overview
Since 2023, Russia has pursued an attrition strategy in Ukraine, aiming to wear down both Ukrainian resistance and Western support by trading resources and personnel for territory. This approach relies heavily on sustained aerial attacks that target Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, especially its energy grid and defense industry, in order to undermine both military capabilities and civilian morale. As a result, the conflict has become a costly stalemate, with widespread damage to infrastructure and ongoing humanitarian challenges. Despite these pressures, Ukrainian resilience and continued international aid remain crucial in countering Russia’s efforts and shaping the war’s trajectory.