Lviv missile strike "another tragedy and terrorist act," Ukrainian official says
The deadly Russian missile strike on an apartment building in western Ukraine Thursday was "another tragedy and terrorist act," a senior Ukrainian official said as rescue efforts were ongoing in the city of Lviv.
Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian President's Office, said preliminary information shows the attack was carried out with a Kalibr cruise missile.
"Russia manufactures missiles, uses Western components, and circumvents sanctions. It can only be stopped by force," Yermak said. "We need more air and missile defense than we have now."
Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi said at least four people were killed and 13 people have been hospitalized. A child is among at least 32 people injured, officials said earlier.
Sadovyi said nearly 100 houses and 50 cars were damaged in the attack. Authorities have already allocated funding to restore the homes, and all residents who lost their houses have been offered temporary accommodation, he said.
"No guarantees": Prior to Thursday's attack Lviv had largely been spared from the relentless bombardment seen across much of Ukraine during the Russian invasion.
The city is located close to the Polish border and Yermak warned there are "no guarantees" that Russian missiles "will not accidentally hit neighboring countries during the terror of Ukraine."
He also urged NATO members to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the defense alliance.
"Of course, the security guarantees and Ukraine's membership in NATO are the real signals that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is afraid of. Inviting our country to join NATO and strengthening our defense capabilities will help us defeat the Russians," Yermak said.