Voice of America News reports: “Russia attacked Ukraine with a barrage of missiles Thursday, including ones that targeted the capital, Kyiv, as well as the city of Kharkiv.

Ukraine’s military said it shot down 54 of 69 missiles launched by Russia.

‘Senseless barbarism. These are the only words that come to mind seeing Russia launch another missile barrage at peaceful Ukrainian cities ahead of New Year,’ Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted. ‘There can be no ‘neutrality’ in the face of such mass war crimes. Pretending to be ‘neutral’ equals taking Russia’s side.’

Ukrainian presidential aide Miykhailo Podolyak tweeted that Russia launched at least 120 missiles ‘to destroy critical infrastructure and kill civilians en masse.’

The attack prompted air raid sirens across the country, and Ukrainian officials said air defense systems were able to knock down incoming missiles…”