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Russia again fires missiles over Moldova in latest strikes

A Russian government spokesperson deflected questions about the incident.

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by SHARON MWENDE

News10 February 2023 - 12:49
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In Summary


  • Kyiv's top general said two missiles fired from the Black Sea flew above the neighbouring country - something confirmed in Chisinau.
  • The general also said the missiles crossed Nato member, Romania - something Romania disputes.
Residents of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv took shelter in metro stations amid Friday's Russian attack

Russia's latest aerial attack on Ukraine saw missiles cross Moldovan airspace, Ukrainian and Moldovan officials have said.

Kyiv's top general said two missiles fired from the Black Sea flew above the neighbouring country - something confirmed in Chisinau.

The general also said the missiles crossed Nato member, Romania - something Romania disputes.

A Russian government spokesperson deflected questions about the incident.

During a regular call with journalists, Dmitry Peskov told the BBC it was a matter for the defence ministry, which is yet to comment.

Moldova has summoned the Russian ambassador - having done the same following a similar incident in October.

The Ukrainian air force said 71 missiles were fired in Friday's "massive" attack, of which it shot down 61.

In the aftermath, a presidential aide reiterated a call for the West to donate fighter jets, and criticised "political hesitation" over the provision of new arms to his country.

A day earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky met EU leaders and appealed for planes to be sent - following another visit to the UK for the same purpose.

The country is suffering more blackouts after energy facilities were targeted in six regions.

Some 150,000 homes were without electricity in the eastern Kharkiv region alone, and seven people were injured, officials said.

Explosions were also heard in Kyiv, although the city's mayor said nobody was hurt.

Residents were urged to take shelter in the capital's metro system. School lessons were held in one station, the Reuters news agency reported.

Other regions, including Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, also came under fire, and the governor of Mykolaiv region described at least three "waves" of missiles.

Moscow has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's energy facilities over the winter. This has been described by some analysts as a war crime, although Russia denies intentionally harming civilians.

Energy workers in the country have increasingly dangerous jobs - and 98 of them lost their lives while performing their duties last year, an official recently told Latvian media.

On Friday, the boss of Ukraine's state-owned rail network tweeted a defiant message as the aerial attacks began.

Alexander Kamyshin wrote: "Trains will start delaying, but none will be cancelled. Promise. We are determined."

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