15 killed, scores missing as Russia Pounds Ukraine ‘s capital, Kiyev
By Yadnom Awu/ Asaba
Russia ,overnight, pounded Ukraine, hitting its capital, Kiyev, and other major cities.
Ukraine said that not less than 15 persons were killed in the capital city, where several targets were hit and scores of victims remained missing, presumed under the rubble of their fallen buildings.
Of late, Russia, taking advantage of its numerical superiority and its dominance of the skies, has ceaselessly pounded Ukraine,attempting to seize part of bordering Sumy Region to create a buffer zone.
Russia has reportedly massed troops around the Region and Ukraine suspects that its big neighbour seeks to launch a winter military campaign to take and annex more territory.
The overnight bombardments came amid flagging prospects of the commencement of meaningful dialogue between both countries for an end to their three-year old war.
At the prodding of the American President, Donald Trump, both countries began talks on their conflict but the talks, held in the Turkish city of Istanbul, had yet to yield significant outcomes beyond the mutual deal on prisoner exchanges, two of which tranches have been effected.
The war, which Russia initially tagged a special military operation, began three years ago when Russia invaded Ukraine in an effort to whittle its pro-NATO inclination, among other reasons.
But its hope of an early victory has been dashed by the resilience of the Ukrainian military capability which is reoiled from the stock of its Western allies, who also enable it with actionable intelligence .
Ukraine has reportedly received in excess of $450billion l( about N745.5 trillion ) in military and humanitarian support, since the outbreak of hostilities.
Russia , on its part, has had the support of North Korea and Iran, and has either fully or partially taken at least four regions in Ukraine.
