KYIV/BRUSSELS: Russia unleashed a barrage of missiles on the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv on Thursday, officials said, after the United Nations General Assembly condemned Moscow's attempted annexation of four Ukrainian areas and Kyiv's allies committed more military aid.
"A five-storey residential building was hit, the two upper floors were completely destroyed, the rest – under rubble. Rescuers are working on the site,” Mayor Oleksandr Senkevich said in a social media post, adding the southern city was "massively shelled".
A shipbuilding centre and a port on the Southern Bug river off the Black Sea, Mykolaiv has suffered heavy Russian bombardments throughout the war.
In New York, three-quarters of the 193-member General Assembly - 143 countries - voted on Wednesday in favour of a resolution that called Moscow's move illegal, deepening Russia's international isolation.
Only four countries joined Russia in voting against the resolution - Syria, Nicaragua, North Korea and Belarus. Thirty-five countries abstained from the vote, including Russia's strategic partner China, while the rest did not vote.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Twitter he was "grateful to 143 states that supported historic #UNGA resolution ...(Russia's) attempt at annexation is worthless."
In Brussels, more than 50 Western countries met to pledge more military aid to Ukraine, especially air defence weapons, on the heels of heavy retaliatory strikes this week ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin in response to an explosion on a bridge in Crimea.
Pledges from allies included an announcement by France that it would deliver radar and air defence systems to Ukraine in the coming weeks. Britain pledged air defence missiles, and Canada said it would provide artillery rounds among other supplies.
At the meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels, U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said Russia's latest attacks laid bare its "malice and cruelty" since invading Ukraine on Feb. 24. At least 26 people have been killed since Monday in Russian missile attacks across Ukraine.
Ukraine had shifted momentum since September with extraordinary gains, but would need more help, he said. "...We're going to do everything we can to make sure that they have what's required to be effective," Austin told reporters.
ZELENSKIY SAYS AID WILL HASTEN WAR'S END
Since Monday's attacks, Germany has sent the first of four IRIS-T SLM air defence systems, while Washington said it would speed up delivery of a promised NASAMS air defence system.
Zelenskiy said the increased aid would strengthen the counteroffensive.
"The more assistance Ukraine gets now, the sooner we'll come to an end to the Russian war," Zelenskiy said by video to a forum during International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings in Washington.
Moscow in September proclaimed its annexation of four partially occupied regions in Ukraine - Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia - after staging what it called referendums. Ukraine and allies have denounced the votes as illegal and coercive.
The General Assembly vote followed a veto by Russia last month of a similar resolution in the 15-member Security Council.
Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the General Assembly ahead of the vote that the resolution was "politicized and openly provocative," adding that it "could destroy any and all efforts in favour of a diplomatic solution to the crisis."
The moves at the United Nations mirror what happened in 2014 after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea. The General Assembly then adopted a resolution declaring the referendum invalid with 100 votes in favour, 11 against and 58 formal abstentions.
The United States and other Western countries lobbied ahead of Wednesday's vote. They won dozens more votes than compared with the 2014 result, and improved on the 141 countries who voted to denounce Russia and demand it withdraw its troops from Ukraine within a week of its invasion.
DEATHS REPORTED AT AVDIIVKA MARKET
Air raid sirens sounded across parts of Ukraine for a third day on Wednesday. The Ukrainian governor of partially occupied Donetsk province said seven people were killed in Russian shelling of a market in the frontline town of Avdiivka. Reuters was not able to verify battlefield reports.
There were reports of some shelling elsewhere, but no sign of the countrywide strikes of the previous two days. Pope Francis denounced the bombings, part of what he called a "hurricane of violence".
Ukraine's military said its forces consolidated control of several settlements recaptured from Russian troops on the west bank of the Dnipro River, near the Russian-occupied town of Beryslav in the Kherson region.
Transatlantic alliance NATO's secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, said Russia's missile attacks were a sign of weakness. "Russia is actually losing on the battlefield," Stoltenberg said.
As his forces have lost ground since September, Putin has intensified the conflict, ordering the call-up of hundreds of thousands of reservists, proclaiming the annexation of occupied Ukrainian territory and repeatedly threatening to use nuclear weapons to protect Russia.
U.S. President Joe Biden said on Wednesday he doubted Putin would resort to that. Putin is a "rational actor who has miscalculated significantly", he told CNN, saying he believed the Russian leader had expected his invading troops to be welcomed.
A senior NATO official said a Russian nuclear strike would change the course of the conflict and almost certainly trigger a "physical response" from Ukraine's allies - "and potentially from NATO itself."
Zelenskiy said Ukraine needed about $55 billion in financial support next year - $38 billion to close the budget deficit and $17 billion to rebuild critical infrastructure such as schools and housing.
Reuters
Thu Oct 13 2022
![Russian missiles target Ukraine's Mykolaiv, UN denounces 'annexations' Russian missiles target Ukraine's Mykolaiv, UN denounces 'annexations'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-10/71665629425_UNGA.jpg)
Monitors at the UNGA hall display the results of a vote on a resolution condemning the annexation of parts of Ukraine by Russia, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at the UN Headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., October 12, 2022. - REUTERS
![Jokowi ke Abu Dhabi untuk perbincangan dengan Presiden UAE mengenai kerjasama Jokowi ke Abu Dhabi untuk perbincangan dengan Presiden UAE mengenai kerjasama](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-08/41660792602_jokowi.jpg)
Jokowi ke Abu Dhabi untuk perbincangan dengan Presiden UAE mengenai kerjasama
Presiden Jokowi dijadual bertemu rakan sejawatannya dari UAE pada 17 Julai.
![Tiga jurusolek lelaki berperwatakan wanita didakwa rompak rakan Tiga jurusolek lelaki berperwatakan wanita didakwa rompak rakan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-01/81673948647_TBGAVEL.jpg)
Tiga jurusolek lelaki berperwatakan wanita didakwa rompak rakan
Kesemua mereka dakwa mengikut Seksyen 395 Kanun Keseksaan yang membawa hukuman penjara maksimum 20 tahun dan boleh dikenakan denda dan sebat, jika sabit kesalahan.
![Timbalan Speaker Dewan Rakyat buat laporan polis berkaitan hasutan, fitnah di Facebook Timbalan Speaker Dewan Rakyat buat laporan polis berkaitan hasutan, fitnah di Facebook](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-06/61686778902_RamliMohdNor.jpg)
Timbalan Speaker Dewan Rakyat buat laporan polis berkaitan hasutan, fitnah di Facebook
Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor mendapati hantaran pemilik akaun itu sangat tidak berasas dan tidak bertanggungjawab.
AWANI Ringkas: Pan-Gon letak jawatan | Ini pandangan peribadi
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
![Agong berkenan berangkat ke pra-Mesyuarat Majlis Raja-Raja ke-266 Agong berkenan berangkat ke pra-Mesyuarat Majlis Raja-Raja ke-266](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721119877_SultanIbrahim.jpg)
Agong berkenan berangkat ke pra-Mesyuarat Majlis Raja-Raja ke-266
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim berkenan berangkat ke pra-Mesyuarat Majlis Raja-Raja (MRR) ke-266 di Istana Negarahari ini.
![Status ADUN Rembia: DUN Melaka tunggu surat rasmi Status ADUN Rembia: DUN Melaka tunggu surat rasmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721108165_ADUNRembiaPN.jpg)
Status ADUN Rembia: DUN Melaka tunggu surat rasmi
Speaker DUN Melaka, Datuk Ibrahim Durum berkata, setakat ini pihaknya belum dimaklumkan secara rasmi dan perbincangan berhubung perkara itu akan diadakan.
![Warga emas bersalah bunuh abang, kakak ipar Warga emas bersalah bunuh abang, kakak ipar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721119130_wargaemasbersalah.jpg)
Warga emas bersalah bunuh abang, kakak ipar
Mahkamah Tinggi di sini hari ini mensabitkan kesalahan seorang warga emas atas dua pertuduhan pindaan membunuh abang dan kakak iparnya dua tahun lalu.
![PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp kemuka laporan tindakan susulan PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp kemuka laporan tindakan susulan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721120782_TBMASERMIEYATI.jpg)
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp kemuka laporan tindakan susulan
Mas Ermieyati Samsudin berkata tempoh itu diberikan susulan laporan audit berkaitan, baru dibentangkan pada minggu lepas.
![Buli siber: Beberapa kementerian bincang perketat undang-undang - Fahmi Buli siber: Beberapa kementerian bincang perketat undang-undang - Fahmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721118437_FahmiFadzil.jpg)
Buli siber: Beberapa kementerian bincang perketat undang-undang - Fahmi
Penambahbaikan aspek perundangan akan diteliti kerajaan, termasuk mengadakan perbincangan dengan beberapa kementerian berkaitan dalam masa terdekat.
![Kementerian Digital sedia bantu PKS dalam pelaksanaan e-invois - Gobind Kementerian Digital sedia bantu PKS dalam pelaksanaan e-invois - Gobind](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2019-12/81575261818_GobindSinghDeo.jpg)
Kementerian Digital sedia bantu PKS dalam pelaksanaan e-invois - Gobind
Beliau menegaskan bahawa pelaksanaan e-Invois itu akan memberi manfaat, termasuk meningkatkan pendapatan PKS.
![Lima negara baharu dipilih anggotai Majlis Keselamatan PBB Lima negara baharu dipilih anggotai Majlis Keselamatan PBB](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-10/61698293798_UNSC.jpg)
Lima negara baharu dipilih anggotai Majlis Keselamatan PBB
Negara berkenaan adalah Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama dan Somalia.
![PBB adakan upacara peringatan untuk bekas Presiden dan Menteri Luar Iran PBB adakan upacara peringatan untuk bekas Presiden dan Menteri Luar Iran](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-10/61698337795_TBDennisFrancis.jpg)
PBB adakan upacara peringatan untuk bekas Presiden dan Menteri Luar Iran
Presiden UNGA, Dennis Francis telah mengumumkan bahawa upacara tersebut dijadualkan pada Khamis, 30 Mei.
![Liga Arab sambut baik resolusi PBB sokong usaha Palestin menjadi anggota penuh Liga Arab sambut baik resolusi PBB sokong usaha Palestin menjadi anggota penuh](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/81715515127_ArabLeagueChiefAh.jpg)
Liga Arab sambut baik resolusi PBB sokong usaha Palestin menjadi anggota penuh
Ahmed Aboul-Gheit mengalu-alukan resolusi yang diterima pakai oleh UNGA baru-baru ini yang menyokong usaha Palestin untuk menjadi anggota penuh PBB.
![Penerimaan resolusi gencatan senjata di Gaza 'kemenangan penting' - PBB Penerimaan resolusi gencatan senjata di Gaza 'kemenangan penting' - PBB](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2019-10/61572145653_TBPBB.jpg)
Penerimaan resolusi gencatan senjata di Gaza 'kemenangan penting' - PBB
Selepas negara anggota PBB mengundi memihak kepada gencatan senjata segera di Gaza, resolusi itu perlu dilaksanakan.
![Peranan China di persada dunia semakin penting - Bekas Canselor Austria Peranan China di persada dunia semakin penting - Bekas Canselor Austria](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/41702291804_TBWolfgangSchuessel.jpg)
Peranan China di persada dunia semakin penting - Bekas Canselor Austria
Peranan dan suara China semakin penting dalam membantu mewujudkan dunia "multipolar", menurut bekas Canselor Austria, Wolfgang Schuessel.
![Visi komuniti berkongsi nasib termaktub dalam resolusi UNGA Visi komuniti berkongsi nasib termaktub dalam resolusi UNGA](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/71695199720_OlafScholz.jpg)
Visi komuniti berkongsi nasib termaktub dalam resolusi UNGA
Perkembangan itu sekali gus menyaksikan visi China itu termaktub dalam resolusi berkenaan selama tujuh tahun berturut-turut sejak 2017.
![Malaysia hargai 121 negara yang memperjuang nasib Gaza dalam sesi tergempar UNGA Malaysia hargai 121 negara yang memperjuang nasib Gaza dalam sesi tergempar UNGA](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-10/61698443076_TBUnitedNations.jpg)
Malaysia hargai 121 negara yang memperjuang nasib Gaza dalam sesi tergempar UNGA
Malaysia menghargai 121 negara yang berani untuk bersuara demi kemanusiaan dan menyokong resolusi Gaza yang ditaja oleh Jordan.
![Hamas desak pelaksanaan resolusi UNGA untuk bantu Gaza Hamas desak pelaksanaan resolusi UNGA untuk bantu Gaza](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-10/41698532921_GhaziHamad.jpg)
Hamas desak pelaksanaan resolusi UNGA untuk bantu Gaza
Langkah itu akan memboleh bantuan kemanusiaan memasuki Gaza untuk mengelak bencana kemanusiaan.
![Malaysia sambut baik resolusi gencatan senjata - Mohd Na'im Malaysia sambut baik resolusi gencatan senjata - Mohd Na'im](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-07/71688981002_TBnaimmokhtar.jpg)
Malaysia sambut baik resolusi gencatan senjata - Mohd Na'im
Datuk Mohd Na'im Mokhtar berkata keputusan resolusi itu penting berikutan situasi terkini di Gaza yang dilihat semakin kritikal.
![Presiden Palestin sambut baik keputusan UNGA terima resolusi mengenai Gaza Presiden Palestin sambut baik keputusan UNGA terima resolusi mengenai Gaza](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-10/61698462989_humanitariantruce.jpg)
Presiden Palestin sambut baik keputusan UNGA terima resolusi mengenai Gaza
Jurucakap Presiden Nabil Abu Rudeineh menyampaikan penghargaan kepada negara-negara yang menyokong resolusi itu.