Russia has initiated a devastating series of deadly assaults on Ukraine, resulting in significant destruction in major cities and claiming the lives of at least 11 individuals. Vladimir Putin’s forces launched 73 missiles and deployed 656 drones targeting key cities such as Kyiv, Dnipro, Poltava, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia. This aggressive move, one of the largest by Moscow in recent times, led to numerous injuries, including children.
The impacted regions were engulfed in air raid sirens as the Ukrainian air defense successfully intercepted and neutralized 40 missiles and 602 drones. The onslaught followed Moscow’s threat of “systematic strikes” in response to an alleged attack by Kyiv on a student dorm in Eastern Ukraine that resulted in 21 fatalities.
In a counterclaim, Russia attributed the latest assault to Ukrainian “terrorist acts” against its territory and asserted that Ukrainian military targets were also hit during the operation. The Russian defense ministry declared a significant strike using advanced long-range air, land, and sea-based weaponry in response to what it deemed as terrorist actions by the Kyiv regime.
Heart-wrenching scenes unfolded across Ukraine as residential buildings and businesses went up in flames, leaving families navigating through debris near their destroyed homes. The state emergency service reported at least four casualties in Kyiv, with 63 individuals injured, including three children. Additionally, around 140,000 residents in Kyiv were left without power post the attacks.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko of Kyiv reported a fire at a nine-story apartment building caused by flaming debris from a nearby missile-hit structure. He described cars ablaze from falling missile remnants in the Obolon district and fires in open areas, including one close to a kindergarten.
In the Dnipropetrovsk region, Russian strikes claimed six lives and injured 36 individuals in Dnipro. Tragically, a second attack occurred after emergency responders arrived, resulting in the death of one rescue worker. In Kharkiv, 14 people sustained injuries, and residential buildings, garages, and vehicles suffered damage, leaving people trapped under rubble from the missile and drone strikes.
Among the affected individuals were Olena Dniprovska, 65, and her husband Yevhen, 64, who were injured in their Kyiv apartment during the assault. Olena recounted the chaos, mentioning the destruction of their home and the harrowing experience they endured.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a warning of a potential “massive” Russian strike, emphasizing the readiness of Ukrainian defenders to face any aggression with the available resources at their disposal.