Seven killed in Russian missile strikes in Ukraine's second largest city

Russian missile strikes have killed seven people in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city.

The number of dead includes two children, the region's governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

Mr Syniehubov said the ballistic missile damaged a five-storey residential building in Kharkiv.

More than ten people were also injured in the strike, including children, officials said.

Rescuers have begun clearing the rubble and continue their search for more people who may have been buried when the building collapsed.

The impact destroyed the entrance and damaged the upper floors of a neighbouring building.

The deaths came as Russia unleashed a barrage of drones and missiles at Ukraine overnight on Saturday.

Across the city, seven residential apartment buildings, commercial and administrative buildings, electricity distribution ​lines, and cars were also damaged by the Russian ⁠attacks, Mr Syniehubov said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia had launched 480 drones ‌and 29 missiles targeting vital infrastructure ​across the country.

He said Russia had targeted energy facilities in Kyiv, Khmelnytskyi and Chernivtsi regions, and the railway in Zhytomyr region.

Damage was reported in the Dnipro, Zaporizhia, Vinnytsia, Odesa, Poltava, Sumy, and Cherkasy regions, Mr Zelenskyy said.

Air defence systems downed 19 missiles and 453 drones with hits from nine missiles and 26 strike drones recorded at 22 locations, preliminary data shows.

"There should be a response from partners to these savage strikes against life," Mr Zelenskyy ​said on Telegram.

"Russia ⁠has not abandoned its ⁠attempts to destroy Ukraine's residential and critical infrastructure, and therefore support should ‌continue."

Mr Zelenskyy urged the country's partners to continue air defence and weapons supplies.

In the Kyiv region, damage from debris was reported in three districts, local authorities said.

In the southern Odesa region, 80 firefighters were called in to battle major blazes at infrastructure facilities following a drone attack.

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