Russian strike on Lviv kills mother and three daughters

Zelensky carries out biggest government shake-up since the start of the war as Moscow's deadly aerial assault continues

- ASKOLD KRUSHELNYCKY, ALEXANDER BUTLER

At least seven people – including four members of the same family – have been killed in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv as Russia continued its relentless aerial barrage.

The drone and missile attack came as Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that his nation needed “new energy”, as he ordered a major government reshuffle at a crucial juncture in the fight against Moscow’s invasion.

Foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba was the highest-profile figure among six ministers to submit their resignations. “We need new energy today, and these steps are related only to the strengthening of our state in different directions,” Mr Zelensky said. Beyond the president, 43-year-old Mr Kuleba was the bestknown face of Ukraine overseas, meeting world leaders and lobbying for military and political support in fluent English. First deputy foreign minister Andrii Sybiha is among the frontrunners to replace him.

The reshuffle is said to have been planned for months but enacted at a time when Moscow has increased its attacks on Ukrainian cities from the air. The strike on Lviv, not far from the border with Nato member Poland, also injured more than 50 and destroyed historic buildings, mayor Andriy Sadovyi said. It came a day after the war’s deadliest attack this year, when Russia hit a military institute in the central town of Poltava with two ballistic missiles, killing more than 50 and wounding more than 200.