Ukraine sends over 30 drones to Russia after a bombing raid on Kharkiv killed three people and injured dozens

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian authorities said more than 30 drones were shot down over the country’s western regions on Sunday night, just hours after a Russian bombing raid on Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, killed three people and sent dozens to hospitals.

One of the four aerial bombs hit a five-story residential building on Saturday afternoon, officials said. Regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said 41 people were still being treated for injuries.

In a video message after the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj called on Ukraine’s partners to strengthen its air defenses.

“Modern air defense systems for Ukraine – such as Patriots, accelerated training of our pilots for the F-16 and, most importantly, sufficient range of our weapons – are really necessary,” he said.

Two people were injured by falling debris when two Russian missiles were fired over the Kyiv region overnight, said Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshuk.

In Russia, air defense forces shot down 33 Ukrainian drones over the western regions of Bryansk, Smolensk, Lipetsk and Tula, the Russian Defense Ministry said. No casualties or damage were reported.

The regional governor of Ukraine’s partially occupied Donetsk region, Vadym Filashkin, said two people were killed and four injured in the Russian attacks on Saturday.

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