Ukraine updates: Deadly Russian strike hits Chernihiv

Chernihiv has been a frequent target of Russian attacks, and was earlier under siege at the beginning of the war in 2022

A Russian missile attack targeted social and civilian infrastructure in the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv. At least eight residents were killed and 18 others wounded, the acting mayor said.

According to the regional governor, three Russian missiles hit almost in the center of the city.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he would seek to convene a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council to ask for better protection of his country’s airspace.

Here’s a look at the latest on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for Wednesday, April 17:

Several dead, many injured in Russian missile attack on Chernihiv

A Russian missile attack on social and civilian infrastructure in the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv killed at least eight residents, according to acting mayor Oleksandr Lomako. Eighteen others were wounded, the acting mayor added.

“This is a very populated area. There has been a direct hit on a civilian infrastructural building,” Lomako said, adding that the number could unfortunately rise.

Regional governor Vyacheslav Chaus also said that the Russian attack killed and injured residents and damaged social infrastructure.

“The enemy hit with three missiles almost in the city center. There are victims among civilians and many injured,” Chaus said in a video as sirens blared in the background.

He also said on the Telegram messaging app that emergency services and medics were working at the site of the strike in the historic city, about 150 kilometers (93 miles) north of the capital, Kyiv.

dh/wd (Reuters, AP, AFP, dpa)