Zelensky calls for air raid shelters to be kept open after the 20th attack on Ukraine | World | News
Furious Volodymr Zelensky has ordered air raid shelters to be kept open “around the clock”, after Russia launched another brutal missile strike on the Ukrainian capital.
In a harsh message, President Zelensky told local authorities that it was their duty to provide people with 24-hour access to underground refuges. And he said that the death of two residents who found their Kyiv shelter must not be locked again.
Ukrainian forces said they shot down more than 30 missiles and drones during an attack last night – the Kremlin’s 20th attack on Kyiv in just over a month.
Three rockets were thought to have passed through. Two people, including a child, were injured by falling debris and five homes were damaged, before air raid warnings could be raised across most of the country.
Mr Zelensky told his regional leaders yesterday: “First of all, my condolences to the families and friends of the people who took their lives with Russia.
“We are doing our best to protect people. There was no such international meeting, there was no such international negotiation where the issue of air defense for Ukraine was not raised.
“But protecting people means protecting them at every level. Bedrooms must be accessible. The situation like in Kyiv, when people came to the shelter and the shelter was closed, should not happen again.
“Local authorities have a special duty to ensure that shelters are available and accessible around the clock.
“It is painful to see the neglect of this duty. It hurts to see casualties.
“And if the duty is not met on the ground, it is directly up to law enforcement agencies to bring them to justice.”
The Ukrainian military said that Vladimir Putin’s forces launched 15 missiles and 18 drones on the capital overnight. The mayor of the city, Vitali Klitschko, who reported two waves of attacks earlier, said on the Telegram messaging service that there were no calls for rescue services.
Meanwhile, Ukraine stepped up its own drone attacks on Russian targets in the southeastern port city of Berdiansk and in the border region of Belgorod.
Film footage showed a suspected UK-made Storm Shadow missile strike in Berdiansk, on the Sea of Azov. A large plume of smoke could be seen rising in the port area, in the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia region.
