Strikes leave 31 civilians dead

FE Team | Published: December 30, 2023 21:17:45

KYIV, Dec 30 (Reuters): Russia drew sharp criticism at the UN Security Council on Friday for launching massive missile and drone attacks against Ukraine, after Kyiv and its supporters called for an urgent meeting of the 15-member body to address the strikes.
Russian strikes across Ukraine on Friday killed 31 civilians and wounded more than 160 others in the biggest aerial attacks since the start of the war in February 2022, according to officials, and Poland said a Russian missile appeared to have flown into its airspace before returning to Ukraine.
"Tragically, 2023 is ending as it began - with devastating violence against the people of Ukraine," UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari said after briefing the council on the attacks.
"Once again, Ukrainians are forced to spend the holidays seeking shelter, clearing the rubble, and burying the dead, amidst freezing temperatures," he added.
Most council members, including the United States, France and Britain, condemned the attacks on Ukraine.
Ukraine launches missile and
drone attacks against Russia
Ukraine has carried out a series of deadly air strikes on targets in south-west Russia over the past 24 hours, according to Russian officials. Latest reports say four people have been killed in Belgorod and Bryansk - with children among the victims.
The Russian defence ministry also said it had destroyed dozens of missiles and drones fired into its territory by Ukraine. The attacks follow Russian strikes on Ukraine which killed 39 people.