Russia unleashes wave of missile attacks, striking Kyiv in retaliation for downing of bridge

Russia attacked multiple Ukrainian cities Monday with missiles in a massive air strike,  bombarding downtown Kyiv in an escalation that left destruction and death in its wake.

At least 11 were killed and 64 were injured, Ukrainian officials said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he ordered the strikes on 10 cities as retaliation for an attack over the weekend on a key bridge between Russia and the Crimean Peninsula it annexed. More attacks are planned, he said.

Air raid sirens sounded across Ukraine for four hours, and key infrastructure like electricity and water utilities and government installations were reported damaged.

Russia is “trying to destroy us and wipe us off the face of the earth,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said as he urged Europe to send more missiles defenses.

President Joe Biden had a conversation on Monday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, pledging to send advanced air defense systems.

"He expressed his condemnation of Russia’s missile strikes across Ukraine, including in Kyiv, and conveyed his condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured in these senseless attacks," according to the White House readout of the conversation. "President Biden pledged to continue providing Ukraine with the support needed to defend itself, including advanced air defense systems."