US CONDEMNS RUSSIAN STRIKES ON UKRAINE

The US said the “brutal” attacks had hit non-military targets, including a university and children’s playground, and promised ongoing military aid.

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply shocked”.

Vladimir Putin said the attacks were retaliation for Saturday’s explosion on a key bridge linking Russia to Crimea.

Ukraine says 83 missiles were launched of which more than 43 were shot down.

In a defiant video, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said that “Ukraine cannot be intimidated. It can only be more united.”

Antonio Guterres described the strikes as “another unacceptable escalation of the war” for which civilians were paying the highest price.

US President Joe Biden was one of many foreign leaders to speak with President Zelensky, and he “pledged to continue providing Ukraine with the support needed to defend itself, including advanced air defence systems”, the White House said.

Russia has been widely condemned after bombarding cities across Ukraine, including launching missile strikes on the centre of Kyiv for the first time.

The US said the “brutal” attacks had hit non-military targets, including a university and children’s playground, and promised ongoing military aid.

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply shocked”.

Vladimir Putin said the attacks were retaliation for Saturday’s explosion on a key bridge linking Russia to Crimea.

Ukraine says 83 missiles were launched of which more than 43 were shot down.

In a defiant video, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said that “Ukraine cannot be intimidated. It can only be more united.”

Antonio Guterres described the strikes as “another unacceptable escalation of the war” for which civilians were paying the highest price.

US President Joe Biden was one of many foreign leaders to speak with President Zelensky, and he “pledged to continue providing Ukraine with the support needed to defend itself, including advanced air defence systems”, the White House said.