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Russian Missile Kills Six, Injures 20 in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia

With the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the background, a bicyclist travels along a path in Nikopol, Ukraine, Sept. 2, 2024. Russian forces have controlled the plant since the first weeks of the war. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
With the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the background, a bicyclist travels along a path in Nikopol, Ukraine, Sept. 2, 2024. Russian forces have controlled the plant since the first weeks of the war. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
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Russian Missile Kills Six, Injures 20 in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia

With the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the background, a bicyclist travels along a path in Nikopol, Ukraine, Sept. 2, 2024. Russian forces have controlled the plant since the first weeks of the war. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
With the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the background, a bicyclist travels along a path in Nikopol, Ukraine, Sept. 2, 2024. Russian forces have controlled the plant since the first weeks of the war. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

A Russian missile attack on Ukraine's southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday killed six people, injured at least 20 more and destroyed a critical infrastructure facility, Ukrainian officials said.

Ivan Fedorov, the regional governor, said in a statement on the Telegram messaging app that a fire broke out as a result of the strike. Authorities did not say what the facility was.

Before the attack, Fedorov and Ukraine's Air Force announced a ballistic missile alert for the region.

Russia has recently stepped up attacks on Zaporizhzhia, using highly destructive guided bombs, which Ukrainian forces find hard to shoot down.

The city is an important logistical and industrial hub located about 40 km (25 miles) from the frontline. Moscow's troops partially occupy the Zaporizhzhia region, which is also home to Europe's largest nuclear power plant.

The Ukrainian president's chief of staff urged allies to give more support to counter Russian attacks.

"Violence must be stopped by strong actions," Andriy Yermak said on Telegram.

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China Urges Philippines to Return to ‘Peaceful Development’

Soldiers march during a military parade held to mark the 89th founding anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Camp Aguinaldo in Manila on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Soldiers march during a military parade held to mark the 89th founding anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Camp Aguinaldo in Manila on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
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China Urges Philippines to Return to ‘Peaceful Development’

Soldiers march during a military parade held to mark the 89th founding anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Camp Aguinaldo in Manila on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Soldiers march during a military parade held to mark the 89th founding anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Camp Aguinaldo in Manila on December 20, 2024. (AFP)

China's foreign ministry on Thursday urged the Philippines to return to "peaceful development", saying Manila's decision to deploy a US medium-range missile system in military exercises would only bring the risks of an arms race in the region.

The US Typhon system, which can be equipped with cruise missiles capable of striking Chinese targets, was brought in for joint exercises earlier this year.

On Tuesday, Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro said the Typhon's deployment for joint exercises was "legitimate, legal and beyond reproach". Army chief Roy Galido said on Monday that the Philippines was also planning to acquire its own mid-range missile system.

Rivalry between China and the Philippines has grown in recent years over their competing claims in the South China Sea. Longtime treaty allies Manila and Washington have also deepened military ties, further ratcheting up tensions.

"By cooperating with the United States in the introduction of Typhon, the Philippine side has surrendered its own security and national defense to others and introduced the risk of geopolitical confrontation and an arms race in the region, posing a substantial threat to regional peace and security," said Mao Ning, a spokesperson at China's foreign ministry.

"We once again advise the Philippine side that the only correct choice for safeguarding its security is to adhere to strategic autonomy, good neighborliness and peaceful development," Mao told reporters at a regular press conference.

China will never sit idly by if its security interests were threatened, she added.

The Philippine embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, which is also claimed by several Southeast Asian countries including the Philippines.