Zelensky: the russian strike on Ukraine claimed the lives of 13 people, around 40 were injured

On the night of August 20, russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine, using ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as UAVs. As a result of the attack, 12 people were killed in Kyiv and one person in the oblast, while around 40 more people were injured. This was reported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

According to him, russian forces had been preparing for the attack for a long time and combined various types of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, attempting to inflict maximum damage on civilian infrastructure.

Damage was recorded in Kyiv and the oblast, as well as in Odesa and Chernihiv oblasts.

In the capital, residential buildings were damaged, including a high-rise building whose upper floors were destroyed. A children’s hospital and a school were also damaged. Emergency rescue operations are ongoing.

In the Odesa oblast, russian forces attacked a border crossing with Moldova using drones. In Chernihiv region, gas infrastructure came under attack.

Zelensky expressed his condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and thanked rescuers, medics, police officers, and utility workers who have been clearing the aftermath of the attack and helping those affected since the first minutes.

The president stressed that strengthening missile defense is necessary to protect Ukraine from russian strikes.

“And as long as Ukraine does not have sufficient ballistic missile protection, russia will not seriously consider peace”, - Zelensky said.

According to him, Ukraine is working on the FREYJA program, but interceptors for Patriot systems remain indispensable at present.

“Every additional missile saves the lives of our people”, - the president emphasized.