Ammon News -

At least 14 people were killed and more than 100 people injured in a large-scale overnight Russian missile and drone strike on Ukraine, officials said, with the capital Kyiv the main target of Moscow's latest long-range barrage, according to BBC.

Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said in a post to Telegram that the most significant damage was wrought in Kyiv, Dnipro and Kharkiv regions. At least five people were killed in Kyiv and nine people including a child were killed in Dnipro, local Ukrainian officials said.

Ukraine's air force said in a post to Telegram that Russia launched 73 missiles and 656 drones into the country, of which 40 missiles and 602 drones were intercepted or suppressed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack constituted "a completely transparent statement from Russia: if Ukraine is not protected from ballistic and other missile strikes, these attacks will continue."

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said that the only reason for Russia’s overnight horrific attack against Ukraine with 656 drones and 73 missiles that killed at least 12, including children, and injured hundreds of civilians is that Putin is a war criminal and loser who has no cards except terror, adding that Moscow is losing on the battlefield. No number of missiles can change this.

In a post on his official X account, Sybiga wrote: "What we can change is Russia’s ability to continue terror. I urge partners to act, not only condemn. There are concrete steps that can be taken. First. Use the unblocked European Peace Fund to fund the PURL program and buy additional “Patriot” systems and missiles for Ukraine. Advance the anti-ballistic coalition. Increase investment in Ukraine’s long-range capabilities. Second. Ramp up pressure on Russia through new sanctions, travel bans for combatants, the full use of frozen assets, and isolation. Third. Take long overdue strategic steps such as opening EU negotiation clusters for Ukraine."

He added: "Terrorists in Moscow must realise that their brutal attacks won’t bring them anywhere. That the price for their regime will only increase. That the only way out for Putin is to immediately end this war."

Sybiga also noted that peace efforts will only succeed when they are backed with real pressure on Moscow.