Funerals were held in Poltava, Ukraine, for victims of a Russian missile strike that killed over 50 people at a military training facility. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed to increase domestic weapons production, including creating underground factories, to bolster Ukraine’s defense against ongoing Russian attacks. Zelenskyy also called for the removal of restrictions on Western-supplied weapons targeting Russian territory. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted most of the drones in a large overnight attack. In Russia’s Voronezh region, a Ukrainian drone strike caused explosions and evacuations.
Quick Read
- Funerals held in Poltava, Ukraine, for over 50 victims of a deadly Russian missile strike on a military training facility.
- Ukrainian President Zelenskyy pledges to increase domestic military production, including building underground weapons factories.
- Zelenskyy calls for lifting restrictions on Western-supplied weapons to allow strikes on Russian territory.
- Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted 58 out of 67 Russian drones in an overnight attack targeting multiple regions.
- In Russia’s Voronezh region, a Ukrainian drone strike caused explosions, prompting evacuations in several villages.
Ukraine mourns victims of Russian strike, vows underground weapons to respond
NEWSLOOKS – POLTAVA, Ukraine (AP) —
Funerals were held Saturday for victims of a deadly Russian missile strike on a military training facility in Poltava, one of the worst attacks since the war began, leaving over 50 dead and more than 300 injured. Hundreds gathered at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Poltava, including grieving families and officials, to mourn the loss of Ukrainian servicemen.
The attack is part of an ongoing surge in Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, targeting infrastructure and residential areas. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed to respond by ramping up domestic military production, including underground weapons factories.
“We are setting up underground weapons production facilities so Ukrainian soldiers can defend themselves, even if supplies from our partners are delayed,” Zelenskyy said. He emphasized that Ukraine is developing new drones and missiles and is determined to bring the war back to Russian territory.
The air force reported that Ukraine’s defenses intercepted 58 of 67 Russian drones launched overnight, with some debris landing near the Ukrainian parliament. As Ukraine braces for another harsh winter amid continued attacks on its power grid, Zelenskyy renewed calls for the removal of restrictions on using Western-supplied weapons to strike Russian territory.
In Russia’s Voronezh region, a Ukrainian drone strike triggered a fire and detonation of explosive objects, leading to evacuations in the area. The governor urged residents not to share geolocated images of the incident.
