Kiev, Ukraine, Dec 29: Officials reported that Russia conducted airstrikes on various cities in Ukraine, including the capital, Kiev, on Friday. The attack followed Ukraine’s strike on a Russian warship in the Crimean port of Feodosia. Kiev Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko confirmed the explosions, and other cities, such as Kharkiv, Lviv, and Odessa, were also targeted.

The Kharkiv police stated, “The enemy has attacked a peaceful city using S-300 missiles,” with 10 reported explosions in Kharkiv. Sumi and Konotop were also reportedly attacked, and debris from a drone strike in Odessa ignited a fire in a high-rise building, quickly controlled by authorities.

Ukraine and its Western allies considered the strikes a significant blow to the Russian navy. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed his air force attacked a plane landing in Novocherkassk, causing damage to a Russian large landing craft. Russia acknowledged the ship’s damage, attributing it to an air-guided missile.

On Thursday, Zelensky expressed gratitude to the United States for releasing the last remaining weapons package for Ukraine, emphasizing the impact of any change in US policy on the course of the war. He thanked President Joe Biden, the US Congress, and the American people for the $250 million military aid package, emphasizing the need to counter ongoing Russian aggression for the security of Ukraine, Europe, and the United States.