Russia launches 36 missiles at Ukraine, one civilian killed

Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Russia launched a "massive missile attack" Thursday on Ukraine, firing at least 36 missiles, 16 of which were shot down, according to Ukrainian military chief Valery Zaluzhny.

Zaluzhny said the Armed Forces of Ukraine shot down 14 cruise missiles and two guided air-to-surface missiles in the attack that targeted "critical infrastructure."

Ukraine's Energy Ministry said after the strikes that electricity generation "remained sufficient to meet the needs of consumers."

Head of the regional military administration, Serhii Lysak, said on Telegram that Russian strikes killed a civilian in the southern Dnipropetrovsk region.

"Terrible night in Pavlohrad. At 3 a.m., when people were peacefully sleeping in their homes, the enemy hit the city with rockets. A 79-year-old woman died. Previously, seven people were injured," Lysak said.

Lysak also shared images of the destruction in his Telegram post.

"Until today's fateful night, an elderly couple lived in this house in Pavlohrad. A wonderful couple -- quiet, friendly, non-confrontational. They grew many sorts of grape, They had plans. For children, a garden, and their own little dreams," he said.

Two civilians were killed by strikes in the village of Zmiivka in Kherson region, according to local officials.

On Wednesday, Russian strikes killed six civilians and wounded 13 others in the eastern Donetsk province, according to the head of the regional military administration, Pablo Kyrylenko.

Several balloons were spotted in the skies over Kyiv on Wednesday.

"The balloons were launched to detect and exhaust our air defense forces," said Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat.