Ukraine-Russia war – live: Toddler’s body pulled from rubble as air strikes death toll rises
Search continues for survivors of wave of missile attacks on Friday, as Putin targets energy infrastructure
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A toddler’s body has been removed from rubble following a wave of deadly airstrikes in Ukraine on Friday.
Emergency crews are continuing to search for survivors after Russian missiles tore through an apartment building in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih.
The missile was one of what Ukrainian authorities said were 16 that got through air defenses in the latest Russian attack targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
The mayor of Kyiv announced today his city’s metro system is operational once again and residents have regained access to water.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko said while heat has been restored to half the city and electricity has been restored to two-thirds, emergency outages are still being implemented due to the significant deficit of electricity.
Four people were killed in Russia’s attacks in which over 70 missiles were launched targeting key energy infrastructure in Ukraine.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address that Vladimir Putin had the means to order several similar waves of attacks to drain the country’s energy system.
Ukrainian campaigner describes impact of energy blackouts
A campaigner in Ukraine has described the impact of the electricity blackouts in Ukraine.
They described how it meant her grandma, suffering with pneumonia, had issues with getting oxygen due to the blackout.
They tweeted: “Today I’ve experienced missiles attack from Russia in Zhytomyr region hospital. Suddenly electricity disappeared, my 88 years old grandma with pneumonia had problems with getting oxygen. The hospital doesn’t have a generator yet. I went to the drug store to buy some medicines…”
Kharkiv without power, heating and water after Russian shelling
The second biggest city in Ukraine, Kharkiv, has no power, water or heating following Russia’s missile strikes this morning.
Mayor of Kharkiv Ihor Terekhov said: “There is colossal damage to infrastructure, primarily the energy system. I ask you to be patient with what is happening now. I know that in your houses there is no light, no heating, no water supply.”
Three strikes have been reported on critical infrastructure in the city.
Head of European Commission welcomes more sanctions against Russia
EU leaders agreed to provide 18 billion euros to Ukraine next year, as well as a new package of sanctions against Russia.
Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, has welcomed the move.
She tweeted: “I welcome the agreement on the 9th sanctions package against Russia. It focuses on tech, finance and media to push the Russian economy and war machine further off the rails.
“It sanctions almost 200 individuals and entities involved in attacks on civilians & kidnapping children.”
Ukraine’s state energy operator says restoring power will take longer than previously
Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s state energy operator, said it will take longer to repair the national grid and restore power across the country than it has done after previous attacks.
It will prioritise “critical infrastructure facilities” such as hospitals, water facilities, heat supplies and sewage treatment plants.
Ukrenergo said in a statement: “Considering this is already the ninth wave of missile strikes on energy facilities, the restoration of power supply may take longer than before.”
Fifa reportedly rebuffs request to share message of world peace from Zelensky
Fifa has reportedly refused a request from Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskiy to share a message of world peace at the World Cup final on Sunday.
A source reportedly told CNN that Fifa refused Zelenskiy’s request to appear on a video link to fans in the stadium in Qatar as France face Argentina in the final.
The source told CNN: “We thought Fifa wanted to use its platform for the greater good.”
Missile attacks ‘one of largest barrages since war began'
Russia rained down scores of missiles on Ukraine’s power grid on Friday, killing at least three people, damaging nine energy facilities and forcing Kyiv to introduce emergency blackouts across the country as winter bites.
Many people headed for shelters during the morning rush hour to take cover from the latest big attack on vital infrastructure since October, which a Kyiv official described as one of the largest missile barrages since Russia invaded in February.
The mayor of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, reported “colossal” damage, threatening to leave many people without heating in freezing winter temperatures. The governor of the central region of Dnipropetrovsk reported “serious damage”.
Air defences took out 60 out of 76 incoming missiles fired at critical infrastructure, Ukraine’s top general said. Moscow deliberately tried to distract the air defences by flying warplanes near Ukraine, Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said.
“They want to destroy us, and make us slaves. But we will not surrender. We will endure,” said Lidiya Vasilieva, 53, as she headed for shelter at a Kyiv railway station. “I want the war over and soon. But I am ready to wait as long as needed.”
Three people were killed in the central city of Kryvyi Rih, authorities said, and a fourth died in a fire in the southern Kherson region after an apartment block was hit by shelling before the missile strike.
The attack in Kryvyi Rih, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s hometown, also wounded at least 13 people, including four small children, a senior official said.
Ukraine’s first lady speaks out after shelling
Ukraine’s first lady Olena Zelenska has spoken out after Russia’s massive missile attack on Ukraine this morning.
She tweeted: “Friday began with massive ru–shelling of the entire . No electricity and water due to infrastructure damage in some cities.
“In Kryvyi Rih, missile hit residential building – 2 people died, 3 children injured. Ukraine is clenching its fists, but it is holding on and will win.”
Recap on today as Russia launches one of its biggest missile attacks of whole war
Russia launched one of its biggest wave of missile attacks during its 10-month invasion of Ukraine on Friday, with strikes in at least four cities, including Kyiv, triggering emergency power outages across the country.
Gunfire from air defence systems and thudding explosions combined with the wail of air raid sirens as the barrage targeted critical infrastructure not in Kyiv, but also Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih and Zaporhizhzhia.
Russian strikes on electricity and water systems have occurred regularly since mid-October, increasing the suffering of the population as winter approaches.
Read the full story.
Clowns Without Borders: Children’s entertainers sent to support Ukrainian children
A children’s charity sends clowns to Europe to provide “emotional first aid” to young Ukrainian refugees.
Clowns Without Borders UK works in war and disaster zones to provide “critical emotional first-aid through laughter and play,” by delivering performances, providing workshops, and training local clowns.
The 19 clowns, who have operated in conflict zones such as the Lebanese-Israeli border and the Turkey-Syrian border, were deployed as part of Project Laughter, a mission that has supported 1,850 Ukrainian refugee children since September 2022.
“We’re so lucky because, basically, the work is about human connection,” Samantha Holdsworth, Chief Clown and CEO of Clowns Without Borders UK, told the PA news agency.
“The question we get is why clowns, why isn’t it something else? The point is that you get to say to a little child, through play, I see you, and I care about what’s happening to you.”
Three killed, boy missing under rubble in Kryvyi Rih – Officials
Latest from Kryvyi Rih, according to regional governor Valentyn Reznichenko:
- Three people killed in strike on residential building – A 64-year-old woman and a young couple
- Young boy remains under rubble
- Thirteen people injured including four children – all of them are in the hospital
Journalists from Associated Press confirmed damage to the residential building.
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