Russian Drone Attacks Injure 8, Damage Buildings in Ukraine

An interior view shows a room inside a hospital building damaged by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, in this handout picture released November 29, 2024. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kyiv city/Handout via REUTERS
An interior view shows a room inside a hospital building damaged by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, in this handout picture released November 29, 2024. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kyiv city/Handout via REUTERS
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Russian Drone Attacks Injure 8, Damage Buildings in Ukraine

An interior view shows a room inside a hospital building damaged by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, in this handout picture released November 29, 2024. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kyiv city/Handout via REUTERS
An interior view shows a room inside a hospital building damaged by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, in this handout picture released November 29, 2024. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kyiv city/Handout via REUTERS

Russian drone attacks on Ukraine injured at least eight people and damaged residential buildings in the capital Kyiv and in the southern Odesa region overnight, officials said on Friday.
Ukraine's air force said in a statement that, of 132 drones launched against the country overnight, it had downed 88 drones, while 41 were "lost", likely due to electronic warfare, and one returned to the Russian territory, Reuters reported.
Russia has stepped up its nightly drone attacks on Ukrainian cities as it continues to push along the eastern frontline, making some of its largest monthly territorial gains since 2022.
It launched a record-high number of 188 drones against the country on Tuesday before staging a large-scale attack on Ukraine's power grid on Thursday.
The drone attack on the southern region of Odesa damaged 13 residential buildings and injured seven people, the national police said in a statement.
Fragments from downed Russian drones struck buildings in two Kyiv districts and injured one person late on Thursday, officials said.
Emergency services, in a post on the Telegram messaging app, showed pictures of rubble strewn about inside and outside a pediatric clinic in Kyiv's Dniprovskyi district on the east bank of the Dnipro River.
A security guard at the facility was taken to hospital. Adjacent buildings also suffered damage.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko said drone fragments had struck an infrastructure site in the Sviatoshynskyi district on the west bank of the river.
Kyiv regional governor Ruslan Kravchenko reported minor damage to a private residence and another building without any casualties.



International Reaction to Trump’s Inauguration

 US President Donald Trump speaks after being sworn in as the 47th President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (AFP)
US President Donald Trump speaks after being sworn in as the 47th President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (AFP)
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International Reaction to Trump’s Inauguration

 US President Donald Trump speaks after being sworn in as the 47th President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (AFP)
US President Donald Trump speaks after being sworn in as the 47th President in the US Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. (AFP)

The following is reaction from global leaders to Donald Trump being sworn in as US president on Monday.

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT
"President Trump is always decisive, and the peace through strength policy he announced provides an opportunity to strengthen American leadership and achieve a long-term and just peace, which is the top priority."

RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN, PRESIDENT OF TÜRKIYE

"Since Mr. Trump repeatedly said he would end the Russia-Ukraine war, we as Türkiye will do whatever necessary in this regard. We need to resolve this issue as soon as possible. This issue will be on our agenda with our talks with Mr. Trump, and we would take our steps accordingly. I wish Mr. Trump's second term would bring good for all humanity."

JUSTIN TRUDEAU, CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER

"Congratulations, President Trump. Canada and the US have the world’s most successful economic partnership. We have the chance to work together again — to create more jobs and prosperity for both our nations."

KEIR STARMER, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER

"For centuries, the relationship between our two nations has been one of collaboration, cooperation and enduring partnership ... Together, we have defended the world from tyranny and worked towards our mutual security and prosperity."

"With President Trump's longstanding affection and historical ties to the United Kingdom, I know that depth of friendship will continue."

URSULA VON DER LEYEN, EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT

"Best wishes President @realDonaldTrump, for your tenure as 47th President of the United States. The EU looks forward to working closely with you to tackle global challenges. Together, our societies can achieve greater prosperity and strengthen their common security. This is the enduring strength of the transatlantic partnership."

MARK RUTTE, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL

"With President Trump back in office we will turbo-charge defense spending & production. My warm congratulations to @realDonaldTrump on his inauguration as 47th President of the USA, and to @JDVance as Vice President. Together we can achieve peace through strength - through @NATO."

CHARLES, BRITAIN’S KING:

The King has sent a personal message of congratulations to President Trump on his inauguration, reflecting on the enduring special relationship between the UK and US, according to Buckingham Palace.