Russian missile strike in Ukraine, death count rises to 40

Kyiv: After a Russian missile struck the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, the death count rose to 40 on Monday. Around 30 people are still missing. Moscow has been attacking Ukrainian cities for the last three months and this is the deadliest civilian incident.

City official Gennadiy Korban said 75 people including 14 children were wounded. Kyiv said it has no way of shooting down the anti-ship missile that struck Dnipro on Saturday. Moscow has denied intentionally targeting civilians and blamed the incident Dnipro on Ukrainian air defences.

Kyiv’s Officials said there is little hope of finding anyone else alive in the rubble. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the rescue mission will go on as long as there is the slightest chance to save lives. "Dozens of people were rescued from the rubble, including six children. We are fighting for every person!"

Russia has reacted with force to the UK's pledge to provide heavy tanks to Kyiv. Many think that western weaponry can turn the tide in favour of Ukraine. Allies are set to meet on Friday at a US airbase in Germany to discuss military aid, reported AFP.

While Berlin is under intense pressure to give Kyiv Leopard battle tanks, Germany's Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht's remarks sparked a row and were criticised as tone-deaf. She resigned after she was mocked for announcing that Germany was supporting Ukraine by sending 5,000 military helmets. In her New Year's Eve message, she talked about the Ukraine war creating opportunities to meet "interesting, great people."