A Russian missile strike in the city of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine has resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals, as reported by Ukrainian officials.

According to a spokesman for Ukraine’s president, the attack caused more than 50 casualties, targeting an eight-storey building in a densely populated area.

Officials indicated that three missiles struck close to the city center.

The strike occurred shortly after reports of a Ukrainian attack on a Russian military airfield in occupied Crimea.

While details have yet to be confirmed, local social media channels shared footage showing an apparent fire at the Dzhankoy airfield in northern Crimea.

In Chernihiv, acting mayor Oleksandr Lomako reported that one building suffered a direct hit from a Russian missile, resulting in damage to several floors.

Videos from the scene depicted people disembarking from a trolleybus and seeking cover amid the chaos in the city.

Officials have appealed to the public to donate blood in response to the urgent medical needs resulting from the attack.

Oleksiy Kuleba, deputy head of Ukraine’s presidential office, reported that four high-rise buildings, a hospital, dozens of cars, and a higher education institution were damaged in the missile atta]ck on Chernihiv.

Emergency services are currently conducting search and rescue operations in the rubble to locate additional victims.

President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that the Russian strike on Chernihiv underscores the urgent need for Ukraine to receive adequate air defense equipment. He reiterated his plea to Western allies for support.

Chernihiv is situated just 100km (60 miles) from the Russian border and has experienced several deadly attacks.

During the initial stages of the 2022 invasion, parts of the Chernihiv region near the city were occupied by Russian forces in their attempt to capture Kyiv to the south. Chernihiv was besieged for over a month and suffered extensive destruction, with around 70% of the city destroyed.

In a recent interview on US television, President Zelensky attributed Ukraine’s diminishing air defense capabilities to Russia’s successful destruction of a critical thermal power plant supplying Kyiv and other regions last week.

Zelensky revealed that 11 missiles were launched at the Trypillya plant, and Ukrainian forces managed to intercept only seven of them. He lamented the lack of missiles, stating, “Four missiles destroyed Trypillya. Why? Because we had zero missiles. We ran out of all missiles.”

Kyiv has been eagerly awaiting approval of a $60 billion (£48 billion) US aid package from Congress for months, but progress has been stalled due to objections from Republicans.

President Zelensky highlighted the global unity demonstrated in supporting non-NATO member Israel during Iranian missile attacks and called for similar political will to be extended to Ukraine.