Russian missile strikes kill at least 25 in Ukraine as rescue work continues

Russia launched a large overnight missile and drone attack across Ukraine, hitting residential buildings and energy infrastructure in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Pryluky, Kremenchuk and other regions. The reported death toll rose during the day. By the latest figures, at least 25 people had been killed, including 19 in the northern town of Pryluky, where a missile partly destroyed a five-storey apartment block. Among the dead in Pryluky were five children; earlier reports had said four. Rescue workers recovered 15 survivors, including one child, and warned that more bodies could be found in the rubble.

President Zelensky said Russia fired around 70 missiles and Shahed drones, and that only some were shot down. He called again for more Patriot systems and interceptors, saying energy infrastructure was one of Russia's key targets. Ukraine's air force said Russia used drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. Officials said shortages of interceptors left cities exposed, especially to ballistic missiles.

In Kharkiv, officials said the city was hit by at least nine or ten missiles overnight. Four people were killed in a residential tower block and more than 40 were injured, with others missing. In Kyiv, at least two people were killed and warehouses were damaged; an unexploded part of a missile had to be made safe. In Kremenchuk, residential buildings were badly damaged, at least two people were killed and more than 30 were injured.

Russia's defence ministry said it had struck military and industrial sites with high precision land, sea and air-launched weapons. Ukrainian authorities described the attack on the apartment block in Pryluky as a war crime. Witnesses described windows blowing out and parents covering children with their bodies. President Zelensky said the strikes were what Russia's armed forces had given as a birthday gift for Vladimir Putin.

A Ukrainian MP from President Zelensky's party said no part of Ukraine was spared and that warning systems and shelters were less developed outside the capital. He said Ukraine had withstood previous winters and would fight to survive this one. The UN said more people had died in Ukraine so far this year than in the previous 12 months. As winter approaches, officials warned that Russia was trying to wear down the population by hitting energy facilities and homes, forcing people into shelters and metro stations.

Ukraine also hit back. An oil tanker said to be part of Russia's shadow fleet was struck in the Black Sea off Sochi, causing black smoke over the resort; its Indian crew were rescued. Ukraine said attacks on Russian energy targets were a response to nightly Russian strikes. Two ships were also hit by air and sea drones off Bulgaria, with crew rescued and others missing; Ukraine accused Russia, while Bulgaria said it needed to rearm.

Politically, President Zelensky accused Ukraine's partners of failing to give early warning of five Russian ballistic missiles, a claim President Trump rejected by saying the US was still sharing intelligence. The dispute came after Washington had suggested it could withdraw intelligence sharing if Ukraine did not halt long-range strikes. In the east, the front line has barely moved for months, but cities have become the front line, with civilians bearing the cost.