Biden promises Ukraine advanced air defence systems after Russia’s bombing blitz
- US and Ukrainian presidents speak after a barrage of Russian missiles struck cities across Ukraine, killing at least 19 and injuring dozens
- Russia’s President Putin has threatened more strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure; G7 nations, Zelensky, to hold emergency call
03:20
Kyiv cleans up in aftermath of Russian missile strikes
US President Joe Biden promised to provide advanced air defence systems to Ukraine after Russian missiles rained down on the capital Kyiv and other cities.
Biden spoke to President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday and “pledged to continue providing Ukraine with the support needed to defend itself, including advanced air defence systems,” a White House statement said.
Ukraine, which views the bridge as a military target sustaining Russia’s war effort, had celebrated the blast without claiming responsibility.
New missile strikes killed at least one person in the southeastern town of Zaporizhzhia and left part of the Western city of Lviv without power, officials said on Tuesday, after Ukraine woke up to the wailing of air raid sirens for a second day.
Other parts of the country remained blacked out after Monday’s fatal cruise missile attacks, said to be the biggest air raids since the start of the war.
The broad avenues of the capital Kyiv were largely deserted after air raid sirens resounded as the morning rush hour was beginning, the same time that Russian missiles struck on Monday. Residents took cover again deep in the underground Metro, where trains were still running.