Russia exploiting Iran war, Zelensky says after fresh bombardment

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Henri Astier

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Reuters

The Kyiv region reportedly bore the brunt of the latest drone and missile strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of attempting to exploit the war in the Middle East to cause “even greater destruction” in his country.

He said Ukraine needed air-defence systems regardless of what was happening elsewhere. The US-Israeli war with Iran has led to many air-defence missiles being expended fending off retaliatory attacks.

Zelensky’s comments came after Russia launched another massive aerial bombardment overnight into Saturday in which at least five people were killed.

About 500 drones and missiles were launched during the latest wave of Russian strikes, he said. Though most were intercepted, they caused casualties and damage across the country, he added.

“The main target for the Russians was the energy infrastructure of the Kyiv region, but unfortunately there were also direct hits on and damage to ordinary residential buildings, schools, and civilian businesses,” Zelensky stated.

Four people were killed in the Kyiv region and many more injured in the latest strikes, Ukrainian officials have said.

Later, a Russian strike on a residential area near Zaporizhzhia reportedly claimed another life and wounded 18 people.

The 430 drones and 68 missiles do not constitute the largest Russian bombardment Ukraine has seen, but it is among the more sizeable ones launched in recent months.

Zelensky wrote on social media: “Russia will try to exploit the war in the Middle East to cause even greater destruction here in Europe, in Ukraine.”

The Ukrainian leader noted that the attacks were a reminder to Kyiv’s partners that air defences were a “daily necessity” for Ukraine, urging them to supply more as quickly as possible.

His remarks reflect that the missiles used by air-defence systems are rapidly being expended in the Middle East as US-aligned Gulf states seek to neutralise Iranian missile and drone attacks. Zelensky has already expressed concerns that the war could leave Ukraine struggling to source defensive weaponry.

At the same time, the oil supply crisis that has been caused by Iran effectively blockading the Strait of Hormuz - a key shipping route - could also see Russia’s war economy benefit.

After the price of oil rose to around $100 (£75) a barrel, the Trump administration temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian oil already loaded onto vessels in a bid to contain the price.

While Moscow welcomed the move, Zelensky, along with several European leaders, criticised the decision.

Peace talks spearheaded by the US aiming to halt more than four years of fighting in Ukraine have been derailed by the war with Iran.

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Volodymyr Zelensky

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