Ukraine's foreign minister quits in cabinet reshuffle as Lviv is hit

Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, has resigned as part of a wide-ranging government reshuffle designed to give what Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called "new strength" to the embattled country.

- Shaun Walker

Kuleba's departure - announced in a handwritten note - came as Russia continued its relentless air barrage.

At least seven people died in a missile strike in the western city of Lviv, with 53 injured. Andriy Sadovyi, the mayor of Lviv, said three of the seven dead were children. The attack took place in Lviv's historic centre, usually considered a safe haven.

Sadovyi posted a photo of a family killed in their home: a mother, Yevheniya Bazylevych, and her three daughters, Yaryna, Daryna and Emiliya. Their father, Yaroslav, was the only survivor. Rescuers treated his injuries as he stood in the street outside their ruined apartment.

The mayor said Yaryna - who was 21 had worked in his office on a youth project. Her 18-year-old sister Daryna was a second-year student at Lviv's Catholic University. Firefighters found the body of Emiliya, nine, buried under rubble.

"Russia used missiles and drones to attack people in their homes while they were sleeping at night. Ordinary homes, schools, and hospitals were hit," Kuleba posted on X shortly after announcing his resignation.

He added that heritage buildings in Lviv's Unesco-protected zone, were also damaged in "Russia's war crime against civilians". A further six people were hurt yesterday in another Russian attack on Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskiy's home city.

Several European foreign ministers praised Kuleba. They included Annalena Baerbock, Germany's foreign minister, who said he had put the people of Ukraine before himself.