Zaporizhzhia hit by Russian strikes: Ukrainian army

Russia is keeping up its targeted attacks on critical infrastructure across Ukraine, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on Friday.

The capital of the Zaphorizhzhia region continued to be a focal point for Russian fire now in its fifth day.

Zaporizhzhia regional Governor Oleksandr Starukh said several explosions were reported in the city overnight at infrastructure facilities, causing fires.

According to the General Staff, Russian force deployed cruise, air-to-surface, and anti-aircraft guided missiles, as well as Iranian-made attack unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to carry out attacks.

"Facilities and civilians in Nalyvaikivka in the Kyiv region and in the cities of Mykolaiv and Nikopol, both in the south, were targeted," they said.

Zelenskyy promise victory as Ukraine marks Defenders Day

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy marked Ukraine's Defenders Day holiday on Friday by promising victory over Russia.

The Ukrainian leader said that by "defeating" Russia "we will respond to all enemies who encroached on Ukraine."

"This will be a victory for all our people," he added.

He laid a wreath with the yellow and blue colors of the Ukrainian flag in front of a memorial in the capital Kyiv, dedicated to soldiers killed on the frontlines since 2014, when Russia first invaded and annexed Crimea.

Zelenskyy vowed that everything that had been taken away from Ukraine would be returned, and no soldier left in captivity.

"The world stands with us. More than ever in our history," he added, referring to the unprecedented support from Western capitals.

Ukrainian forces have made advances in recent weeks, but Russia has carried out heavy air strikes in the past few days.