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Ukrainian civilians have died following a flurry of Russian drone strikes targeting the nation’s capital.
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Russian forces have reportedly targeted infrastructure in cities across Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv, launching a second wave of air strikes over the past week.
According to Reuters, Ukrainian soldiers based in the nation’s capital attempted to shoot down the drones, firing anti-aircraft missiles.
A pregnant woman was among the civilians killed as a result of the attack, Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko reported.
The attack has been widely condemned, with the White House committing to holding Russia accountable for the “war crimes”.
The United States and its allies continue to support Ukraine’s resistance against Russian forces.
Most recently, the United States committed to dipping into the Department of Defence’s (DoD) inventories for a 23rd presidential drawdown aimed at supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
This latest package, valued at approximately US$725 million ($1.1 billion), includes the provision of additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS); 155mm artillery rounds; precision-guided 155mm artillery rounds; anti-tank weapons and high-speed anti-radiation missiles (HARMs).
The United States alone has committed approximately US$17.6 billion (AU$28.2 billion) to Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion in February.
This latest package follows US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s meeting with counterparts from almost 50 countries at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels.
The United Kingdom was among the nations to pledge further support, announcing it would deliver advanced medium-range, air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) rockets, to be delivered “over the coming weeks”.
The rockets are expected to be used with the NASAMS air defence systems, capable of taking down cruise missiles.
The UK’s support package also reportedly includes other variants of air defence missiles, along with hundreds of additional aerial drones for information gathering and logistics missions, and a further 18 howitzer artillery guns, in addition to the 64 already delivered.
[Related: UK, US to bolster Ukraine’s strike power]
