Russian missile strikes have resulted in the deaths of seven individuals in Ukraine's Odesa region in the south and Kharkiv in the northeast.

Among the casualties in Odesa, a 10-year-old girl was among four killed in an attack that coincided with the city's liberation from the Nazis during World War Two.

Additionally, two women and a 14-year-old girl were killed in an attack on a pharmacy near Ukraine's northern border with Russia, according to officials.

Recent Russian attacks have focused on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, with power infrastructure being targeted in five regions early Thursday by over 40 missiles and 40 drones, as reported by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In the Kharkiv region alone, around 200,000 people were left without power, prompting Mr. Zelensky to appeal for increased international support, emphasizing the need for air and other defense assistance.

Efforts to provide a multi-billion dollar aid package for Kyiv have been hindered by Republican opposition in the US Congress.

Although Ukrainian air defenses managed to destroy 57 out of 82 Russian airborne weapons, they failed to intercept Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles fired by Russian MiG warplanes or guided S-300 missiles.

Ukrainian officials have accused Russian forces of employing double-tap tactics, where a second missile strike targets emergency service personnel responding to the initial attack.

Governor Kiper noted that ballistic missiles were used in the strikes on Odesa between 18:00 and 18:30 (15:00-15:30 GMT) on Wednesday.

Attacks on Kharkiv have been escalating in recent weeks, with Ukrainian officials suggesting the city could be a target for a future Russian offensive.

The second-largest city in the country has suffered significant damage from months of Russian bombardment since President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Ukraine has faced setbacks on the ground in recent months, with troops running low on ammunition due to delays in US support caused by supporters of former President Donald Trump in Congress.

The Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, has refused to call a vote on a bill that would provide $60 billion (£48 billion) in military aid for Ukraine.

The US's top general in Europe warned Congress on Wednesday that Ukraine would soon exhaust its artillery shells and air defense interceptors without American assistance.

Gen Christopher Cavoli said Russia was currently firing five artillery shells for every one fired by Ukrainian forces - a disparity which could soon increase to 10 to one.

"Without our support, they will not be able to prevail," Gen Cavoli said.

Too bad

Not good at all