“Millions are being plunged into extreme hardship and appalling conditions of life by these strikes,” said Türk in a statement. “Taken as a whole, this raises serious problems under international humanitarian law, which requires a concrete and direct military advantage for each object attacked.”
10:20pm: Zelensky criticises Kyiv mayor over emergency centres following Russian missile strikes
In a rare public spat involving Ukrainian leaders, President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday criticised the mayor of Kyiv for doing what he said was a poor job setting up emergency shelters to help those without power and heat after Russian attacks. In the wake of crushing Russian missile strikes against the power-generating system, Ukraine has established thousands of so-called "invincibility centres" where people can access heat, water, internet and mobile phone links.
In an evening address, Zelenskiy indicated that Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko and his officials had not done enough to help.
"Unfortunately, local authorities have not performed well in all cities. In particular, there are a lot of complaints in Kyiv... To put it mildly, more work is needed," he said, saying the level of services available in many Kyiv centres was not good enough.
9:09pm: Germany, France pledge mutual support to avert energy crunch
Germany and France pledged Friday to provide each other mutual support in preventing a possible energy crisis after supplies from Russia dried up amid the war in Ukraine.
As part of a joint agreement signed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, Germany will provide France with electricity while getting much-needed natural gas in return.
“Friends help each other in need,” Scholz said after the signing ceremony in Berlin.
Borne echoed that sentiment, saying the friendship between the two European heavyweight was crucial. “It has already proved it can withstand tests and master many challenges,” she said.
9:06pm: 'More than 6 million' Ukraine households hit by power cuts, Zelensky says
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that over six million households in the country had been affected by power cuts, two days after targeted Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
"As of this evening, blackouts continue in most regions (of Ukraine) and in Kyiv. In total, more than six million subscribers," Zelensky said in his daily address on social media.
6:25pm: Russian shelling kills 15 in Kherson, city official says
Russian shelling on the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson killed 15 civilians on Friday, said an official in the recently recaptured city.
"Today, 15 Kherson city residents were killed and 35 injured, including one child, as a result of enemy shelling," Galyna Lugova said on social media. "Several private houses and high-rise buildings were damaged" in the attacks," she added.
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