Ukrainian officials say deadly Russian missile attack hits Chernigov

Ukrainian officials said on Wednesday that the northern city of Chernihiv had been hit by a deadly Russian missile attack.

Chernihiv Mayor Oleksandr Lomako said on Telegram that the attack killed at least 11 people and injured more than 20 people.

Regional governor Vyacheslav Chaus said multiple missiles struck near the city center.

“Civilians were killed and many were injured,” Jos said.

Ukrainian President Zelensky expressed condolences for the victims on social media and once again called on allies to provide assistance to Ukraine to defend against Russian missile and drone attacks.

“If Ukraine acquired a sufficient number of air defense systems and the world was determined enough to combat Russian terrorist activities, then this would not happen,” Zelensky said. “Terrorists can only first intimidate those who can stop the terror and save lives.” Determination matters. ”

In a speech late on Tuesday, Zelensky said he would call for a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council to “discuss sky protection, air defense operations, the supply of related systems and missiles.”

Zelensky has drawn parallels in recent days between multinational efforts to protect Israel from Iranian drone and missile attacks.

In his speech on Tuesday, he cited comments from officials in other countries who drew distinctions between the conflicts. Zelensky said that the “Shahed” drones manufactured by Iran are the same, and so are the human lives involved.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday the destruction of a Ukrainian drone over the Mordovia region and another over Tatarstan.

G7 talks

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will join his G7 counterparts for talks in Italy, where he will discuss U.S. concerns about China’s support for Russia’s defense industrial base, the State Department said.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters on Tuesday that the United States has observed the movement of supplies from China to Russia over the past few months. Russia is using these materials to rebuild its defense industrial base and produce the weapons that will appear on the battlefield in Ukraine.

“We’re very concerned about this,” Miller said.

The United States has long expressed concerns to China about any actions that might support Russia’s war in Ukraine, U.S. officials said. This includes not only direct military support, but also measures taken by Chinese companies to rebuild Russia’s defense industrial base.

“The secretary does plan to travel to China in the coming weeks,” Miller added. “That’s a question he should ask.”

This report contains information from the Associated Press, AFP and Reuters