Governor: Russian missiles destroy Kharkiv hotel

Eleven persons were injured when two Russian missiles struck a hotel in Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine, according to the governor of Kharkiv.

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine captured images of the severely damaged hotel and firefighters at the site.

According to Governor Oleh Synehubov, Turkish journalists were among those injured. He stated that two S-300 missiles were launched at approximately 22:30 (20:30 GMT).

Within the past fortnight, airstrikes against Ukrainian cities have been intensified by Russia. Dozens of civilians, according to Ukrainian officials, have been killed in these drone and missile attacks.

Since Russian air strikes began targeting Kharkiv, which is only 30 kilometres (19 miles) from the Russian frontier, in February 2022, when President Vladimir Putin initiated his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Kharkiv has been severely damaged.

Nine people were transported to hospitals injured in the most recent strike, including a 35-year-old man in critical condition, the governor reported via Telegram.

According to the Ukrainian news agency Unian, the mayor of the city, Ihor Terekhov, stated that while there were no military personnel present in the hotel at the time, there were thirty civilians there. It is located in the central district of Kyiv. Several residences and vehicles were also damaged, according to him.

During his Wednesday visit to Lithuania, President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Western allies to supply additional air defence armaments. The nation of the Baltics is one of Ukraine's most steadfast allies in its efforts to strengthen the city's resistance against Russian forces.

Air defence systems represent our greatest deficiency. The effort to combat drones. He stated in Vilnius, "I am pleased that we have agreements with Lithuania and numerous other collaborators." Latvia and Estonia, Lithuania's two Baltic neighbours, are former Soviet nations that are now members of the NATO alliance.

Lithuania is the largest donor of military aid to Ukraine in terms of GDP, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy in Germany. By contrast, the United States' contribution to Ukraine's defence is the most substantial.

According to Mr. Zelensky, Vladimir Putin "will not settle down until he destroys Ukraine," as reported by Interfax-Ukraine.

He issued a warning that the Baltic republics and Moldova might be the next targets, and he added that the Russian leader will not end this war unless we all finish him together.

The Ukrainian leader has engaged in extensive discussions with Western allies in recent days in an effort to maintain vital armament shipments. Little progress was made during Kyiv's counteroffensive late last year, and Westerners have begun to doubt the city's strategy, which has fueled concerns about the war's financial toll.

As a result of Russia's significantly increased military spending, NATO nations are facing challenges in augmenting their manufacturing of artillery shells and other heavy armaments.

A Hungarian veto has halted a €50 billion (£43 billion; $55 billion) EU aid package for Ukraine, while a new installment of military aid has got mired in a polarised US Congress.

Wednesday, following a video conference with the Ukrainian government, NATO announced its intention to furnish Ukraine with "billions of euros worth of additional capabilities" this year.