Western Ukrainian city hit by heaviest airstrike

A barrage of missiles hit the western city of Lviv in the most intense attack yet, killing four people and President Zelensky vowing to retaliate.

"This is the largest attack on civilian infrastructure in Lviv since the outbreak of hostilities," Andriy Sadovyi, mayor of the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, said today, referring to last night's missile attack.

Sadovyi said that in the attack, a missile hit an apartment complex in Lviv, destroying more than 50 apartments. A dormitory at Lviv Polytechnic University and a nearby office building and school were damaged.

Mr. Zelensky announced that he would respond after the raid in Lviv. — Damaged buildings after a raid on the city of Lviv on July 5. Video: *Telegram/VolodymyrZelensky*

Ukraine's Interior Minister Igor Klymenko said parts of the third and fourth floors of the apartment building were completely destroyed, killing four people and injuring nine. He added that rescuers were trying to reach people trapped under the rubble.

At the scene, cars covered in plaster and windows blown out by the explosion lay scattered on the sidewalk.

"I woke up after the first explosion, but I didn't have time to leave the apartment," said Olya, 37, who lives in the apartment building. "Then the second explosion, the ceiling started falling down and my mother was injured."

About half an hour later, rescuers arrived and took Olya to the hospital. "When I returned, I found my mother dead and my neighbors dead. It seemed like I was the only survivor on the fourth floor," she said.

Rescuers try to reach people trapped in a damaged apartment building after an attack in Lviv on July 5. Photo: AP

It is unclear how many missiles were fired at Lviv in the attack. Last month, Lviv and other major cities, including the capital Kiev, were attacked by drones.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also posted a video on Telegram showing the destruction of buildings in Lviv after last night's Russian attack. "Unfortunately, there are dead and wounded. My condolences to the people. We will definitely respond clearly to the enemy," he wrote.

Russia has not yet responded to information from Ukraine.

Ukraine regularly accuses Russia of launching missile and drone attacks on its territory, but the city of Lviv, hundreds of kilometres from the frontline and close to the Polish border, has largely escaped air strikes.

Ukraine has recently beefed up its air defenses with Western-supplied weapons. However, Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuriy Ignat said the new air defenses were not enough to cover the entire country.

Mr. Zelensky said in a television interview on July 5 that the slow delivery of weapons to Ukraine had delayed plans for a counterattack, while also helping Russia strengthen its defenses in areas it controlled.