Ukraine-Russia war live: Zelensky’s foreign minister quits as seven killed in Lviv

Russia’s foreign ministry has warned Ukraine and its allies that the response to long-range strikes on Russian territory will be “extremely painful”.

Maria Zakharova, Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, said the response would be immediate if Ukraine struck deep into Russia.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has offered his resignation, according to the speaker of Ukraine’s parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk.

Kuleba’s resignation will be “considered” at an upcoming meeting, Stefanchuk said, but he did not give a date for this, the Kyiv Independent reported.

It comes a day after Ukrainska Pravda reported that Kuleba was set to be dismissed, with sources saying Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha was the most likely to take over.

After taking the post in 2020, Kuleba has fronted Ukrainian efforts to secure military and humanitarian support from international allies, as well as forging new relationships with less acquainted countries.

Lawmaker Oleksandr Merezhko said the move was “expected rather long ago”, adding that the move may be “related to the new period of challenges for Ukraine”.

After rumours emerged that Kuleba may be dismissed in August 2023, Kuleba said there were only two circumstances in which he would leave his post: either if President Zelenskyy asked him to, or in case of a “fundamental contradiction with foreign policy” which he doesn’t consider “possible to work with”.

A number of high profile ministers have submitted their resignations in the last two days as the Ukrainian government undergoes a significant reshuffle.

At least seven were killed and 38 wounded following Russia’s attack on Lviv, the region’s governor said.

The fatalities included three children, including girls aged nine and 14, and a 50-year-old nurse working at a local clinic, the Kyiv Independent reported.

The Mayor of Lviv, Andrii Sadovyi, said 15 people were taken to hospital after the attack, with five children among the wounded.

50 buildings were damaged and two schools have been shut down due to the drone strikes. Multiple buildings near the central railway station caught fire.

Explosions were also reported in Kyiv, Sumy, Lutsk and Rivne amid a nationwide air alert.

With a population of over 700,000 people, Lviv sits around 540 kilometres (335 miles) west of Kyiv and is just 70 kilometres (approximately 43 miles) from the Polish border.

It has been targeted by Russian missiles several times since Putin’s invasion in February 2022.

Russia’s attack this morning on the western Ukrainian city of Lviv has killed seven people, including three children, mayor Andriy Sadovy said on the Telegram messaging app.

A devastating Russian air attack on Lviv, has left seven people dead, including a 14-year-old girl, and over 30 injured.

The strike, which involved drones and missiles, damaged over 50 structures, including schools, homes, and clinics, in the heart of the city.

The attack comes a day after Russia’s deadliest single attack this year, which killed 50 people in Poltava.

Neighbouring Poland scrambled aircraft to secure its airspace, citing Russian long-range aviation activity.

Irish premier Simon Harris arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday to meet with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, as Ireland prepares to announce millions in new funding for Ukraine.

The visit comes a day after a devastating Russian missile strike killed at least 50 people and injured 200 others in Poltava, 200 miles southeast of Kyiv.

During his visit, Mr Harris will sign a joint agreement on support and cooperation with Mr Zelensky and meet with Ukrainian prime minister Denys Shmyhal. He will also tour areas ravaged by Russian bombing, saying, “I want to see firsthand the impact of war on the European continent.”

Russia is taking measures to bolster the security of its nuclear power plants to prevent possible military attacks, energy minister Nikolai Shulginov said Wednesday.

He acknowledged that Russian nuclear facilities are vulnerable to such attacks, while also emphasising Russia’s efforts to protect Europe from the potential consequences of such incidents.

Ukraine’s government is undergoing a significant shake-up, with at least six ministers resigning and a presidential aide fired.

The changes come as president Volodymyr Zelensky prepares for a critical period in the war against Russian forces. The ministers who resigned include deputy prime minister Olha Stefanishyna, the justice, environment, and reintegration ministers, and the head of Ukraine’s State Property Fund.

About a third of the cabinet positions are now vacant.

Mr Zelensky signalled the reshuffle last week, citing the need for change, and is expected to outline his “victory plan” to Joe Biden during an upcoming visit to the US.