Russia and Ukraine trade overnight strikes, civilians injured on both sides
Russian Defense Ministry says chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov inspected group of forces Tsentr in combat zone
MOSCOW
Russia and Ukraine said on Sunday that civilians were injured in overnight cross-border air raids, including on infrastructure and residential areas.
Russia's Krasnodar region came under a "massive" Ukrainian drone attack, injuring two people, regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said on Telegram.
"The most difficult situation is in the village of Volna. A tank with oil products, a warehouse and terminals were damaged there. According to the information currently available, two people were injured—they were promptly hospitalized, and all necessary assistance is being provided," he said.
According to Kondratyev, the strike sparked multiple fires, which emergency services, 126 personnel and 34 units of equipment, are working to extinguish.
In the resort city of Sochi, a residential building and heating systems were also hit, he added.
Meanwhile, Belgorod region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram that some residential buildings would be left without heating following Ukrainian attacks, which caused "very big and very serious" damage.
The Russian Transport Agency, Rosaviation, said restrictions were imposed on the Moscow Vnukovo airport due to Ukraine's air attacks.
In a separate statement, the Defense Ministry claimed its forces shot down 211 Ukrainian drones across Russian territory overnight.
The ministry also reported that Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov inspected the Russian group of forces Tsentr (Center) in the combat zone.
On the Ukrainian side, the military administration of the Zaporizhzhia region said three people were injured in an overnight Russian drone attack.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, in an interview with US media, described the situation in the city as being "on the verge of disaster."
According to him, residents are facing massive power outages and disruptions to heating and water supply caused by Russian strikes.
Klitschko also directed criticism at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, claiming presidential interference in local government has "weakened important decentralization reforms."
In a statement on Telegram, Ukraine's air force said its air defense systems destroyed 55 of 83 drones launched by Russian forces overnight.
Zelenskyy said Russia launched some 1,300 attack drones, more than 1,200 guided aerial bombs and 50 missiles this week.
According to him, he discussed the situation with European leaders at the Munich Security Conference in Germany and promised to send new aid packages soon.
The conflicting reports from both sides could not be independently verified due to the ongoing conflict.
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