Russia Launches Fresh Strikes On Ukraine, Killing 12

Russia launched multiple waves of missile and drone attacks against Ukraine on June 29, killing at least 12 civilians and wounding 40 others, AP reported on June 30. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the assault as "horrifying attacks."

Russian missiles targeting infrastructure struck the central city of Dnipro, killing 5 people and injuring 29. In the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, Russian drones hit a passenger minivan, killing 3 civilians and wounding 6, including one child. Ukrainian police also reported that Russian drones killed a 69-year-old woman and 77-year-old man in Sumy region in the northeast. In Kharkiv, midday airstrikes resulted in 1 death and 5 injuries, according to Mayor Igor Terekhov.

Zelenskyy called on Europe to accelerate air defense development to intercept Russian missiles. "People need greater protection from these horrifying attacks," he stated on social media. "Most importantly, we need anti-missile capabilities. It is critical that Europe move with maximum urgency in developing its own air defense systems—both the systems and the missiles."

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine over four years ago, Russian forces have repeatedly destroyed Ukrainian infrastructure and residential areas. UN reports indicate that more than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed in the conflict.