Furious Volodomyr Zelensky today branded Russia a nation of “terrorists” after at least nine people were killed and 29 injured in a Kremlin missile strike on the Ukrainian President’s home city of Kryvyi Rih.
Kyiv’s prosecutor general’s office said five children were among the injured after a residential building was hit, with four people also reported missing.
After seeing the devastation in the city where he grew up, a clearly moved Mr Zelensky said: “Every day and every hour, Russian terror proves that Ukraine, together with its partners, must strengthen air defense. Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih.
“My condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. All necessary services are available on site.
“Modern air defence systems are able to provide maximum protection of people, our cities, and our positions. And we need them as much as possible.”
In smouldering Kryvyi Rih, emergency services, police and volunteers were seen combing through the wreckage. Search dogs were also brought to the scene in a bid to try and find survivors beneath the rubble.
Russia‘s defence ministry did not publicly comment on the strike on Mr Zelensky’s home town.
But in a video posted by Ukraine‘s state emergency service DSNS, an injured woman could be seen being carried on a stretcher from the wreckage.
And firefighters were seen battling fires in the area after the strike.
It came amid another wave of attacks across the country – leading to enforced blackouts in numerous areas.
While some of the Russian missiles and drones were downed, others made it through to their targets, once again being death and despair.
Mr Zelensky said: “Another attack by Russian terrorists this night. Recovery efforts are under way.
“The occupiers attempted a combined missile and drone strike on our country. Our air defenders responded effectively, shooting down five enemy missiles and more than 20 drones.
“Such a result in protecting lives can be our daily achievement if we have enough tools to repel terrorist attacks. I am grateful to all of our partners who understand this and work together with us to boost our resilience in this daily fight for life.”
And he added: “I thank everyone who defends our skies: mobile air defense groups, our Air Force, and all of air defence units.
“We are committed to providing them with even greater strength and capabilities, ensuring they can continue to save and protect our people.”
They include a huge peace summit in Switzerland to be held over the weekend.
But for those Ukrainians living without power, the situation back at home remained grim.
Residents in the capital Kyiv, with a population of three million, were yesterday facing some of the most significant power shortages. The hum of generators reverberated though the city, while at night streets were now often in darkness.
Families with young children living on the top floors of apartment blocks have been left without working lifts, leaving them to walk up dozens of flights of stairs.
However, this is not enough to make up its deficit, meaning nationwide power cuts have been planned during an eight-hour window, from 3pm to 11pm, in order to protect critical infrastructure such a hospitals and military facilities.