Nine people have been killed and 29 injured, including 5 children, after a Russian ballistic missile struck an apartment building in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said, writes Al Jazeera.

He onfirmed the toll on Wednesday evening after recovery work ended at the site. Photos shared by the emergency services showed rescue teams clambering over piles of rubble and timber to help the injured and the dead.

“Every day and every hour, Russian terror proves that Ukraine, together with its partners, should strengthen air defences”, - Ukrainian President said after the attack. Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted video footage from the scene of the attack showing rescue workers looking for survivors in the ruins and renewed his appeal for Ukraine’s allies to step up deliveries of sophisticated air defence systems to ward off Russian air attacks.

The US has agreed to send another Patriot missile system, 2 US officials said in Washington. Assistance to Ukraine is a key issue at the annual G7 summit, which will start in Italy today, June 13.

“Modern air defence systems can provide maximum protection for people, our cities and our positions. We need them as much as possible”, - added Zelenskyy.