KYIV, Ukraine (NEWSnet/AP) — Three Russian missiles slammed into a downtown area Wednesday in Chernihiv, Ukraine, striking an eight-story apartment building and killing at least 17 people, authorities said.

At least 61 were wounded in the attack, Ukraine emergency services said. Rescue workers searched through partly demolished buildings and mounds of rubble. Chernihiv is about 90 miles north of Kyiv, near the border with Russia and Belarus, and has a population of around 250,000.

The latest Russian bombardment came the war has stretched into its third year.

Through the winter, Russia made no dramatic advance along the 620-mile front line, focusing instead on attritional warfare. However, Ukraine’s shortage of artillery ammunition, troops and armored vehicles has allowed Russian to push forward, military analysts say.

One factor is a holdup in U.S. of approval for an aid package that includes $60 billion for Ukraine. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday he will try to facilitate the package this week.

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