West condemns Russia's 'record' attack in Ukraine

"Today Russia attacked us with almost everything they have in their arsenal," AFP quoted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as saying on December 29.

The Ukrainian military said Russia fired 158 missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at locations across Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv, and destroyed 114 of them. Schools, maternity hospitals, shopping malls and apartment blocks were among the buildings hit, according to Ukrainian officials.

Ukrainian air force spokesman Yury Ignat said the number of missiles and UAVs was "a record number" and that this was the "largest missile attack" in the war that has lasted nearly two years, not counting the first days when Ukraine was constantly bombarded.

Cars burned in Kyiv during attack on December 29

The Russian military said on the same day that it had hit all targets in dozens of attacks on Ukraine over the past week, including the latest attack.

"In the period from December 23 to 29, the Russian armed forces carried out 50 group strikes and one large-scale attack... All targets were hit," the Russian military said in its daily update, claiming they targeted military facilities in Ukraine, according to AFP.

In a statement, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said the December 29 attack had shown that it was impossible to negotiate a ceasefire with Moscow. "Russia is not considering any scenario other than the complete destruction of Ukraine," Reuters quoted the statement as saying.

Ukraine is calling on Western allies to maintain military support while the US Congress remains deadlocked in efforts to provide new aid to Kyiv.

Speaking after the latest Russian attack, Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak said Kyiv needed “more support and strength to stop this terrorism”. US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said today’s attack showed “Ukraine needs funding now”.

Mr Zelensky has previously warned that any change in policy from the US – Kyiv’s main backer – could have a dramatic impact on the course of the war.

Western countries have condemned the December 29 attack. The French foreign ministry said the attack was part of Russia's "terrorist strategy", while British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: "We must continue to stand with Ukraine - for as long as we can."

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell described it as a "cowardly and indiscriminate attack" on civilians. Moscow has always denied targeting civilians in Ukraine.

The UN humanitarian envoy to Ukraine Denise Brown said the latest attack was "another unacceptable example of the horrific reality" facing Ukrainians.

Russia did not immediately comment on the statement by Western officials.

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