KYIV: Rescuers in Ukraine searched through rubble on Saturday after Russian strikes killed at least 39 people the day before, one of the fiercest attacks since the early days of the war.
Schools, a maternity hospital, shopping arcades and blocks of flats were among the buildings hit in Friday's barrage, Ukrainian officials said.
The strikes -- during which a Russian missile passed through Polish airspace -- triggered international condemnation and fresh promises of military support to Ukraine, which has been fighting off attacking Russian troops since late February 2022.
Ukraine's military estimated Russia had launched 158 missiles and drones on Ukraine and 114 of them had been destroyed.
Air force spokesman Yuriy Ignat said that this was a "record number" of missiles and "the most massive missile attack" of the war, excluding the early days of constant bombardment.
Russia tried to overwhelm Ukraine's air defences across most major cities, launching a wave of attack drones followed by missiles of numerous types fired from planes and from Russian-controlled territory.
At least 39 people were killed in Friday's strikes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
"Work is still underway to eliminate the consequences of yesterday's Russian attack," he wrote in a post on social media on Saturday.
"In total, 159 people were injured in this attack. Unfortunately, 39 of them have been killed so far," he said.
Russia's army said it had "carried out 50 group strikes and one massive strike" on military facilities in Ukraine over the past week, adding that "all targets were hit".
The United Nations condemned the attacks and said they must stop "immediately".
In the face of sustained Russian attacks, Ukraine is urging Western allies to maintain military support.
Ukraine presidential aide Andriy Yermak said Kyiv needed "more support and strength to stop this horror".
US President Joe Biden called on Congress to overcome its division to approve new aid for Ukraine, after Washington released its final package of weaponry under existing agreements still to be renewed by Congress.
"Unless Congress takes urgent action in the new year, we will not be able to continue sending the weapons and vital air defence systems Ukraine needs to protect its people," Biden said.
"Congress must step up and act without any further delay."
Britain announced it would send hundreds more air defence missiles to Kyiv, after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declared that "We must continue to stand with Ukraine -- for as long as it takes". — AFP
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