Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky called on allies to provide Ukraine with better air defenses after a barrage of Russian missiles hit residential areas in the city of Uman, killing more than 20 people. "Air defence, modern air force - without which effective air defence is impossible - artillery, armoured vehicles. Everything that is needed to ensure the security of our cities, our villages, both in the interior and on the front line," Zelensky listed in a video address on Friday.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the target of the missile attacks were Ukrainian soldiers who were to be sent to the front. For its part, Moscow also made accusations that there were 9 civilian casualties in the Ukrainian shelling in Donetsk.

Ukraine's General Staff says its troops repelled 48 attacks overnight and continue to hold the defenses of Bakhmut and Marinka. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said Ukraine is wrapping up preparations for a counteroffensive against Russian forces and is largely ready for it to go ahead.