Ukraine says three killed in Russian attack on Kyiv | BBC News
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Russia launched large-scale drone and missile strikes on Ukraine's capital and other parts of the country early on Friday, officials said. At least three people were killed and 49 injured in the strikes, according to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. The aerial raids targeted Kyiv, as well as the city of Lutsk and the Ternophil region in the north-west of the country. The attack came after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned US President Donald Trump he would respond to Ukraine's recent strikes on Russian airbases. Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/1rbfUog For more news, analysis and features visit: www.bbc.com/news #Ukraine #Russia #BBCNews
According to the transcript, Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine overnight, firing more than 400 drones and 43 missiles, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukraine's military says it preempted the attack by striking Russian airfields and fuel depots.
The attacks targeted the capital Kyiv as well as other major cities across Ukraine, killing at least three rescue workers and wounding around 40 people. This came a day after President Putin vowed to retaliate against Ukraine for drone attacks that damaged or destroyed dozens of Russian strategic bomber planes.
The Ukrainian government rejects the notion that this was "retaliation", arguing that Russia was the aggressor in the full-scale invasion three years ago. Residents of Kyiv are accustomed to such attacks, frequently spending time in shelters as air defenses engage the incoming missiles and drones.
The large number of cruise missiles used in the latest attack was likely Russia's way of demonstrating that it still has the capability to strike Ukraine with the same types of munitions that were targeted in the recent Ukrainian attack. Overall, the transcript paints a picture of the ongoing cycle of attacks and counterattacks in the war between Russia and Ukraine.