Zelenskyy reports deadly Russian strike on Lviv in western Ukraine

LONDON — Russian missiles struck Lviv in western Ukraine early on Wednesday, killing at least seven people and injuring dozens of others, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a local official said.

A 14-year-old girl was among the dead, Zelenskyy said in a statement posted to the messaging app Telegram.

“More than 30 people were injured,” he add. “Ordinary residential buildings in the city, schools and medical institutions were damaged.”

Serhiy Kiral, the deputy mayor of Lviv, told ABC News that at least seven people — including three children — are confirmed killed.

“Firefighters are still working to put out the fire, to rescue people who may still be under the debris,” Kiral said early on Wednesday.

“It’s not clear what genius planned the target — these are purely residential neighborhoods in downtown Lviv, around the central train station,” Kiral added.

The strike was the western Ukrainian city’s worst since an attack last year that killed 10 people, Kiral said, adding, “Impunity leads to more crime; rule of thumb.”

Lviv was one of several cities that were targeted on Wednesday by Russian missiles, Zelenskyy said. Five people were also injured in Kryvyi Rih, he added. Ukraine’s air force wrote on Telegram that it downed seven cruise missiles and 22 attack drones overnight. Russia fired a total of two ballistic missiles, 11 cruise missiles, and 29 drones, the update said.

The most recent wave of attacks followed missile-and-drone barrages on Monday night and Tuesday morning that killed dozens of people in three cities. The deadliest incident was a double ballistic missile strike on the Poltava Military Communications Institute and a nearby hospital which killed more than 50 and wounded hundreds, Ukrainian officials said.

First Lady Olena Zelenska said Tuesday’s attack was a “shocking tragedy for the whole of Ukraine. Zelenskyy said he “ordered a full and prompt investigation into all the circumstances of what happened.”

The Poltava attack came against a backdrop of intensifying Russian long-range strikes on Ukrainian cities, military targets and critical infrastructure nationwide.

Zelenskyy and his top officials have been pressing their Western partners, including the U.S., to loosen restrictions on Kyiv’s use of Western weapons, and to allow Ukrainian forces to strike airfields and launch sites within Russia.

“Russia does not have a free hand,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters in a Tuesday press briefing when questioned on the issue. “We continue to supply Ukraine with air-defense systems,” he continued.

“We continue to supply Ukraine with other equipment that it can use to push back on Russian military assaults, and that’ll continue to be our policy,” he said.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported a deadly Russian strike on the city of Lviv in western Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two countries. The attack, which occurred on Saturday, targeted a residential area in Lviv, resulting in multiple casualties and widespread destruction.

Zelenskyy condemned the strike as a “barbaric act of aggression” and called on the international community to take immediate action to stop the violence. He also vowed to retaliate against Russia for its actions, stating that Ukraine will not back down in the face of such aggression.

The attack on Lviv comes as Russian forces continue their invasion of Ukraine, which began in late February. The conflict has already resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions of people, with both sides accusing each other of committing war crimes and atrocities.

The targeting of Lviv, a major cultural and economic hub in western Ukraine, is particularly concerning as it represents a significant escalation in the conflict. The city has been relatively untouched by the fighting so far, making it a symbol of resilience for many Ukrainians.

The international community has condemned the attack on Lviv, with world leaders calling for an immediate ceasefire and a diplomatic solution to the conflict. The United Nations Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Ukraine and explore ways to de-escalate the violence.

As the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, it is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize the safety and well-being of civilians. The targeting of civilian areas, such as the recent strike on Lviv, is a clear violation of international law and must be condemned in the strongest terms.

In the face of such senseless violence, it is more important than ever for the international community to come together and support the people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom and independence. The world must stand united against Russian aggression and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict before more lives are lost.