The search-and-rescue operation in Pryluky following the Russian missile strike on the five-story apartment building has now been completed. Sadly, the death toll has risen to 22 people. Five of them were children. My condolences to all their families and loved ones. Fifty-four people were injured, including seven children. More than 500 emergency service professionals were involved at the site. I thank every one of them – 15 people have been rescued since yesterday, including a five-year-old child. And even after such a brutal attack, the Russians continued striking our regions. This morning, Russia hit an ordinary public transport stop in Kramatorsk with an aerial bomb. As of now, 12 people have been confirmed killed. In the evening, a strike on a residential building in Kyiv claimed two lives. My condolences to all the families and loved ones of the victims. Four more people were injured, including two children. In the Odesa region, a Russian drone attack damaged an animal shelter. Energy infrastructure was hit again. Overall, Russian strikes caused destruction in 10 regions. I am grateful to our partners who did not remain silent yesterday about these Russian crimes. But it is important that support in words take concrete form in new packages for Ukraine’s defense. Supplies of anti-ballistic capabilities, ammunition for our combat aircraft, and investments in interceptors – all of this is directly helping save lives every day. Important talks with our partners will take place today and tomorrow. We expect them to deliver concrete results to strengthen our defense.

Today, as a birthday “gift” to Putin, the Russian army destroyed a residential building in Pryluky, in the Chernihiv region. It was an ordinary five-story apartment building. Tragically, as of now, five people have been reported killed and 26 injured, including five children. There may still be people under the rubble. First responders are working nonstop at the site – doing everything possible to find every person. Russian missile strikes also damaged five apartment buildings in Dnipro and four high-rise buildings in Kremenchuk. Tragically, two people were killed and eight injured. A high-rise building in Zaporizhzhia was damaged by a drone. In Kyiv, the Russians killed two people. Two more people were killed in Oleksandriya… My condolences to all the families and loved ones of those killed. Overall, infrastructure in Kyiv and 12 regions came under attack last night. One of the key targets was our energy infrastructure. The Russians wanted to strike painfully and demonstratively. This was one of the most vile strikes: 70 missiles in total, many of them ballistic, as well as “shaheds.” Unfortunately, only some of them were shot down. Russian ballistic missiles remain the greatest challenge. And air defense packages for us right now are a vital necessity. That is why every day we are looking for missiles for Patriot systems that can and must actually protect people’s lives here, in Ukrainian skies. Thank you to everyone who is helping us.