Ukraine has experienced a wave of Russian missile and drone strikes delivered overnight on Thursday, a move that was met with strong condemnation from the government, the UN, and allies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the situation as “difficult”, and said the country will hold Russia accountable for its actions.

The strikes hit major cities including Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv and Odesa, causing widespread destruction and at least six civilian deaths in the Lviv region. The mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, said many homes and businesses have been damaged or destroyed and that 40% of the capital's consumers are now without heating. The city also had to temporarily shut down power to Europe's largest nuclear power plant.

Serhiy Popko, head of the Kyiv city military administration, said on Telegram that the strikes included 81 missiles of various types and Iranian