Russian attacks kill eight people across Ukraine as US steps up diplomacy

Russian attacks across Ukraine have killed at least eight people as the United States steps up diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the war.

Six people were killed and eight wounded on Thursday in a Russian attack on a farm in northern Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on Telegram.

Two more people were killed in Russian attacks on Kyiv, one of them in the car park of a maternity hospital that was damaged, officials said.

The assault included an unspecified number of hypersonic and ballistic missiles, 282 drones and other weapons, Ukraine’s air force said.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence said it targeted Ukrainian defence sites, logistics and telecommunications hubs, and vessels used by the military.

The ministry also said its forces struck a Black Sea tanker bringing fuel and lubricants to Ukraine’s port of Chornomorsk.

In Russia, falling drone debris sparked a fire at an industrial facility in the southern region of Krasnodar, local authorities said, adding that no one was injured.

Poland’s military said it deployed planes to secure its airspace in response to the attacks on Ukraine. Two Czech fighters were also deployed to aid the effort.