Russia Launches Massive Missile Attack on Ukraine, Dozens Dead
Russia has launched one of its largest missile attacks on Ukraine, resulting in dozens of casualties and extensive damage to residential buildings. The attack occurred in Kyiv, as well as the south and west regions of Ukraine. Ten people in Kyiv were trapped under rubble, while a maternity ward was damaged in the city of Dnipro. Ukrainian officials have called for increased support from Kyiv's allies.
Massive Missile Attack Kills Civilians and Damages Infrastructure
Russia carried out a major aerial assault on Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of 12 civilians and injuring many others. The attack targeted residential buildings in Kyiv, as well as the southern and western parts of the country.
In Kyiv, ten people were trapped under rubble at a damaged warehouse, and a maternity ward in the city of Dnipro was also damaged. Despite no casualties reported in the maternity ward, the damage caused is a tragic consequence of the missile attack.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressed his wishes for the sounds of explosions in Ukraine to reach the ears of people worldwide. He called on Kyiv's allies to provide increased support in light of the devastating attack.
Russia's Largest Aerial Barrage Since Invasion
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy revealed that approximately 110 missiles were fired in the attack, with the majority being intercepted and shot down. According to Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk, this marks the most massive attack from the air since Russia's invasion in February 2022.
Army chief General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi stated that the attack specifically targeted critical infrastructure, industrial facilities, and military installations. At the time of reporting, there has been no comment from Russia regarding the assault.
The energy ministry reported power outages in several regions, including southern Odesa, northeastern Kharkiv, central Dnipropetrovsk, and central Kyiv. Such power outages were a cause for concern, as Ukraine had previously warned about Russia's potential missile stockpiling for a major air attack on the energy system.
Escalating Casualties and Damage in Multiple Cities
The casualties and damage inflicted by the missile attack extended beyond Kyiv. In the central region of Dnipropetrovsk, five people were killed when missiles struck a shopping center, a privately-held home, and a residential building. In the Black Sea port city of Odesa, three people were killed and at least 15 were injured, including two children, as missiles hit residential buildings.
Lviv, which borders NATO member Poland, also experienced the impact of the attack. A multi-storey residential building in Lviv was damaged, resulting in one fatality. Additionally, three schools and a kindergarten sustained damage. In the northeastern city of Kharkiv, a warehouse, an industrial facility, a medical facility, and a transport depot were hit by missiles, resulting in one fatality and 11 injuries.
Missiles also targeted infrastructure facilities in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, resulting in one fatality. The interior minister reported damage to several locations in Zaporizhzhia.
