By Dylan Bettencourt
- Zelensky cancels part of South Africa trip after deadly strikes kill nine in Ukrainian capital.
- Kyiv and Kharkiv hit in overnight attack of nearly 70 missiles and 150 drones, says Zelensky.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has cut short his trip to South Africa after deadly Russian missile strikes killed nine people in Kyiv and injured dozens more.
Zelensky was due to meet President Cyril Ramaphosa and attend other events, but has now confirmed he will return to Ukraine immediately after meeting Ramaphosa.
“Part of the programme is cancelled,” he wrote on X. “I’m returning to Ukraine. The foreign minister will continue the rest of the visit.”
The overnight attack saw nearly 70 missiles and 150 drones rain down on Ukraine, Zelensky said. He called for the bombing to stop “immediately and unconditionally” and thanked international allies for their support.
In Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said 77 people were hurt and 12 buildings damaged. Thirty-one people are in hospital.
In Kharkiv, Mayor Igor Terekhov said 24 attacks hit the city — 14 drone strikes and 10 missiles. Two people were injured and several buildings, including a school and a hotel, were damaged.
This is the worst strike on Kyiv since 8 July last year, when 34 people were killed and 121 injured after Russian missiles hit a children’s hospital and other civilian areas.
The latest comes after several deadly attacks in recent weeks:
- 4 April in Kryvyy Rih: 21 dead
- 13 April in Sumy: 35 dead
- 23 April in Marhanets: 9 dead
Pictured above: Volodymyr Zelensky and Cyril Ramaphosa.
Image source: Ukrainian Government
