FM censures Russia´s missile attack on Ukraine

Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen on Friday strongly condemned the Russia´s missile attack on Ukraine and reiterated Finland´s firm support to Ukraine.

“Russia‘s missile attack against hospitals, schools and residential buildings is yet again an act of pure evil. Targeting civilians is a war crime, which will not be left unpunished. We call on Russia to end the aggression and to withdraw. Finland stands firmly on Ukraine’s side,” Valtonen wrote in a post in her social media platform X late Friday night.

At least 30 people were killed and more than 160 others injured across Ukraine on Friday morning in the "largest missile and drone attack" on the country since the start of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, reported Xinhua, quoting Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.

The Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 158 drones and missiles, including at least 90 air-launched cruise missiles and five Kinzhal ballistic missiles, said Valery Zaluzhny, chief commander of the armed forces of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian air defense has destroyed 87 cruise missiles and 27 combat drones, Zaluzhny said in a post on Telegram.

The Russian attack targeted Ukraine's critical infrastructure, industrial and military facilities, Zaluzhny said.