The casualty count increased to 12 following a Russian drone strike on a residential building in Odesa, a southern Ukrainian port city.
Officials reported the recovery of two more children and a young mother from the debris.
In response to the fatal incident, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Western allies to enhance Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.
He highlighted the critical nature of the attack, pointing out the challenges Kyiv faces due to delays in receiving a significant $60 billion assistance package from the United States, which has resulted in a shortfall of munitions.
Zelensky emphasized the necessity of victory in the conflict on Sunday, stating, “The defeat of Russian forces on the battlefield serves as Ukraine’s answer to Russian aggression.
The international community must take a stand against every act of Russian hostility and counteract Russia’s endeavors.”
Among the victims were five children, with two infants under one year of age, as confirmed by both Zelensky and the regional governor.
Zelensky mournfully listed the names of the youngest casualties in a Telegram message, “Mark, not yet three years old, Yelyzaveta, eight months old, and Tymofiy, four months old,” highlighting the tragic loss of life due to the airstrike.
“Delays in the delivery of weapons to Ukraine, as well as air defense to protect our people, unfortunately, result in such losses … Ukraine has never requested anything more than what is necessary to protect lives,” Zelensky wrote.
Over the past day, there have been 68 instances of conflict between Ukrainian forces and Russian troops along the front lines.
This was reported by the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff, as per Ukrinform’s latest update on the situation.
The Ukrainian Air Force launched strikes on seven groups of Russian soldiers during the day.
Meanwhile, Russia conducted 5 missile attacks, 44 air raids, and 54 assaults with rocket launch systems targeting Ukrainian military positions and civilian areas. The total count of military clashes for the day stood at 68.
