Zelenskyy condemns 'horrific attacks' as Russian strikes kill 12 and
wound 40 in Ukraine
[June 30, 2026]
By HANNA ARHIROVA and BARRY HATTON
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian missiles and drones killed at least 12
civilians and injured 40 others in Ukraine on Monday in what President
Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as “horrific attacks.”
Since Russia launched its all-out invasion of its neighbor more than
four years ago, its forces have conducted bombing in an effort to
destroy Ukraine’s infrastructure and sap morale. More than 16,000
Ukrainian civilians have been killed, according to the U.N.
A Russian missile targeting infrastructure struck the central city of
Dnipro, killing six people and wounding 29, Dnipropetrovsk regional head
Oleksandr Hanzha said. Russian drones also hit a passenger minibus in
the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, killing three and wounding six,
including a child, Zelenskyy said on social media.
Russian drones also killed a 69-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man in
the northeastern Sumy region, National Police said. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor
Terekhov said a daytime Russian strike killed one person and wounded
five others in the northeastern city.
Other deadly attacks occurred in at least six other regions of Ukraine,
authorities said. No further details were immediately available.
Strikes leave some Ukrainians without power
Some customers in eight Ukrainian regions were left without power Monday
after Russian strikes, while hot weather drove up electricity use as
people turned on air conditioners, grid operator Ukrenergo said.
Zelenskyy renewed his plea for Europe to step up its development of air
defenses to block Russia’s ballistic missiles.
“People need greater protection from such horrific attacks,” Zelenskyy
said. “Above all, we need anti-ballistic capabilities. It is essential
that Europe is as active as possible in developing its own
anti-ballistic defense — its own systems and missiles.”
Putin says expanding Ukrainian drone attacks won't stop the war
A marked shift has taken place in the war in recent months, Western
officials say, as Ukraine’s expanding drone strikes have brought fuel
shortages in Russia and Russia-occupied territory. The attacks have
weakened the Russian military’s supply lines to the front in eastern and
southern Ukraine, slowing their advance, according to analysts.
Ukraine’s innovative drone engineering has given it an edge and made it
a world leader in the technology’s military use. It is now helping
partner countries after previously pleading for foreign military
support.
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In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Services on
Monday, June 29, 2026, a rescue worker puts out a fire of petrol
station damaged by a Russian strike on Poltava region, Ukraine.
(Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday acknowledged that
Ukrainian long-range drone strikes on Russia’s oil facilities have
caused fuel shortages. The scarcity has triggered public anger and
frustration as people wait in line for hours at gas stations.
But Putin ruled out making concessions to end the invasion and
insisted that Russia will ultimately prevail in the war despite what
he called “temporary” setbacks.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia’s position on Ukraine
remains unchanged, insisting that Russian troops are continuing
their front-line offensive.
Their effort “makes us confident that our goals will be achieved,”
Peskov told reporters.
Russia's battlefield progress is waning, analysts say
The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank,
said the Kremlin's stance is an attempt to push the West and Ukraine
to give in to Russia’s demands.
But, it added, “Russia’s battlefield performance continues to
decline in 2026 and Russia’s ability to seize its objectives
militarily is in question.”
Russia’s Defense Ministry said that air defenses downed 209
Ukrainian drones from late Sunday through early Monday.
Ukraine’s air force said it shot down 82 of the 108 drones that
Russia launched overnight.
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Hatton reported from Lisbon.
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