Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned Russia's brutal missile and drone strikes on Ukraine Oct. 10, saying the Kremlin hit “targets without military purpose throughout Ukraine.”
At least 11 people died and at least 64 people were wounded, AP News reported. Russia's recent attacks created a countrywide blackout, with hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian people now without electricity.
“The Kremlin’s strikes against Ukraine today again place the stakes of Russia’s brutal war into stark relief. Russian bombs hit children’s playgrounds and public parks in Kyiv; wave after wave of missiles struck Kyiv’s city streets and damaged heating and targets without military purpose throughout Ukraine,” Blinken said, according to a State Department news release. “I extend my deepest sympathies to the people of Ukraine who have lost loved ones today. The United States stands with you.”
Russia's aerial strikes on Ukraine were in response to what the Kremlin is calling a Ukrainian terrorist attack on a critical bridge, AP News reported. Ukraine's Emergency Service reported Russia launched attacks from the air, sea and land against 14 regions — spanning from Lviv in the west to Kharkiv in the east.
Despite Russia claiming to have targeted military and energy facilities, attacks struck civilian areas during rush hour, according to AP News. One missile hit a playground located in downtown Kyiv and another hit Kyiv National University.
AP News reported Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy repeatedly called upon world leaders to declare Russia a terrorist state due to its attacks on civilians and alleged war crimes, with such calls being renewed following Monday's attack.
Blinken said the U.S. would “continue to provide vital economic, humanitarian and security assistance so Ukraine can defend itself and take care of its people,” in the news release. He also called on the international community to hold President Vladimir Putin responsible for his actions, as well as to voice public support and follow through on commitments to Ukraine.
The head of Ukrainian law enforcement reported damage to 70 infrastructure sites with 29 of those sites in critical condition following the missile strikes, AP News reported. A total of 84 cruise missiles and 24 drones were launched against Ukraine. The Ukrainian General Staff said 56 aerial targets were shot down by Ukrainian forces.
Mayor Ihor Terekhov said Kharkiv was hit three times with strikes knocking out electricity and water supply in the area. Lviv's energy infrastructure was also hit, according to regional Gov. Maksym Kozytskyi, AP News reported.
