AT least four people have been killed and 30 injured after a Russian missile blitzed a hotel where Brits and US workers were staying.
Guests in the five-storey hotel were heard screaming as rescuers worked to pull people out from under the rubble.
ReutersA fire burns in a destroyed building following a Russian missile strike[/caption]
Guests in the five-storey hotel were heard screamingReuters
ReutersRescuers work at the site of a hotel building hit by a Russian missile strike[/caption]
Footage showed a giant fireball explosion as the Iskander rocket hit the Central Hotel in Kryvyi Rih.
The onslaught came as the US confirmed it has blocked Ukraine from receiving key intelligence data to use Western missiles – including HIMARS – against targets inside Russia.
President Zelensky said in a statement: “Just before the attack, volunteers from a humanitarian organisation – citizens of Ukraine, the United States and the United Kingdom – had checked into the hotel.
“They survived because they managed to get down from their rooms in time. Unfortunately, four people were killed in this attack. My condolences to their families and loved ones.”
Dramatic footage shows the aftermath of the strike.
At least 14 injured in the strike were in a serious condition, said Serhiy Lysak, governor of Dnipropetrovsk region.
Ukraine’s Emergency Services said 19 people had been rescued from the site of the hotel.
They posted pictures of crews making their way through the rubble outside the floodlit five-storey building and clambering up and down ladders.
Smoke billowed from the top of the hotel and nearly all its windows appeared to have been blown out. A crane was deployed to reach upper levels.
In addition to the hotel, 14 apartment buildings, a post office and 12 shops were also damaged, the governor said.
The Ukrainian military said Russian forces launched two ballistic missiles and 112 drones at Ukraine overnight.
Drones also struck energy infrastructure in the southern region of Odesa, injuring two people, the governor said.
In the northeastern city of Sumy, a drone attack killed one person and damaged a private enterprise’s storage facility, according to the local prosecutors.
Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskiy’s home town, has been a frequent target since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago.
Meanwhile, the White House said it has stopped sharing “all” intelligence with Ukraine.
CIA director John Ratcliffe confirmed the pause in intelligence but said that he believes the temporary action “will go away soon”.
The order, which also applies to all UK intelligence agencies and military outlets, revokes the “Rel UKR” classification – previously allowing Britain to pass on US-made intelligence to Ukraine.
It is a massive blow to Kyiv, who recently had all US military aid paused after a White House bust-up between Trump and Zelensky.
EPAPicture shows the facade of the hotel destroyed in the strike[/caption]
ReutersRescuers carry a wounded person at the site of a hotel building hit by a Russian missile strike[/caption]
East2WestRussian ballistic missile attack on a hotel in Kryvyi Rih has resulted in at least three fatalities and left over 30 people injured.[/caption]
The decision came just hours after Trump’s fiery address to Congress where he confirmed that all military aid to Ukraine would stop on a “temporary pause”.
Don, in front of many protesting Democrats throughout Congress, said: “America must focus on American interests.”
On Tuesday, President Zelensky offered to mend their relationship and said the historic White House showdown was “regrettable”.
However, he fell short of apologising to Trump.
The brave leader also spelled out a vision on how Russia’s war with Ukraine could end, affirmed that Ukraine is committed to peace and stated he was ready to negotiate as soon as possible.
The Ukrainian President said: “We are ready to work fast to end the war, and the first stages could be the release of prisoners and truce in the sky – ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy and other civilian infrastructure – and truce in the sea immediately, if Russia will do the same.”
He praised Trump’s “strong leadership” and repeated his gratitude for US support – seemingly appealing to criticism from Trump’s Vice President JD Vance who criticised the Ukrainian leader for not saying “thank you” enough.
SplashUS President Donald J. Trump has stopped all intelligence aid going to Ukraine[/caption]
SplashThe military and intelligence aid pause comes after a blowout in the White House between the two leaders[/caption]
Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
