Zelensky visits The Hague after new strikes in Ukraine

Explosions were heard in various Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, the day after Russia accused Ukraine of carrying out a drone attack on the Kremlin. The attacks were also reported in Zaporizhzhia and Odesa in the south. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is due to speak at The Hague as part of an unexpected visit to the Netherlands, where he will also visit the International Criminal Court investigating alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine. 

Russia has accused Ukraine of attempting to assassinate President Vladimir Putin, but Zelensky denied the country carried out the attack, stating that they were defending their villages and cities. During his visit to the Netherlands, Zelensky is expected to meet Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to discuss his demands for more military support, including long-range weapons and fighter jets. 

Following the alleged drone attacks, Russia threatened to retaliate when and where it considered necessary. On Wednesday, Russian strikes on Ukraine’s southern Kherson region killed 21 people. Officials said that the victims included supermarket customers and employees of an energy company performing repairs. In the early hours of Thursday morning, air raid sirens rang out across many Ukrainian regions, and loud blasts were reported in Kyiv and Odesa.