A gunner from Ukraine’s 24th Mechanised Brigade. Picture: Ukraine Ministry of Defence
Russian missiles damaged residential buildings in the Ukrainian cities of Kharkiv and Odesa as drones caused temporary power cuts in the Mykolaiv region and targeted the capital Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said on Monday.
International news media say that Russia is making territorial gains in Ukraine’s east.
These reports say Moscow is carrying out nightly attacks with missiles and cheaply produced “suicide” and low-cost “decoy” drones which ties up Ukrainian air defences.
Of 145 drones used overnight, Ukraine shot down 71 and lost track of 71 others, likely due to electronic warfare measures used against them, the Ukrainian air force said.
A Russian missile attack on the northeastern city of Kharkiv injured at least 23 people and damaged over 40 buildings on Monday morning, the regional governor and national police said.
Another missile attack on the southern city of Odesa also damaged residential buildings and injured 10 people, Ukraine’s interior ministry said.
CALL FOR PRESSURE
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on his Western allies to step up pressure on Russia to prevent the components needed for the weapons systems reaching it.
He welcomed news that the UK had sanctioned 30 Russian oil tankers, part of its “shadow oil fleet”, and insurance companies.
“This shadow fleet generates tens of billions of dollars, funding Russia’s war machine, while posing severe environmental risks,” he posted on social media.
“As long as Russian oil revenues remain unchecked, the war risks prolonged aggression, and Moscow lacks incentive to pursue peace.
“Cutting off this financial lifeline is essential to limiting Russia’s capacity for aggression.”
The UK announced it is expanding military support for Ukraine with £7.5m ($14.48M) for new attack and surveillance drones. This is extra to £120m ($231.7m) to fund uncrewed boats and maritime drones.
The UK Government says an extra £16m ($30.8m) for drones has been pledged with Germany giving £10m ($19.3m), Canada giving £3m ($5.7m) and Luxembourg giving £3m ($5.7m) for a drone fund, now worth £67m ($129.3m).
UK Defence Secretary John Healey MP also confirmed that the number of Ukrainian military recruits trained on British soil has passed 50,000.
