Deadly Russian Attacks Hit Kyiv and Other Cities in Ukraine, Killing at Least Three Civilians
In a devastating series of early morning attacks, Russia launched a barrage of cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and Shahed-type drones at targets across Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of at least three civilians and leaving more than 10 people injured. The Ukrainian military reported that Russia targeted at least three major cities, with 44 drones and missiles intercepted out of the 64 that were launched.
The capital city of Kyiv was one of the primary targets of the attack, where two people lost their lives. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his outrage, stating, “Another massive attack against our state. Six regions were under the enemy’s strike. All our services are now working to cope with the consequences of this terror.” The president also revealed that power was knocked out in parts of Kyiv, with high voltage cables damaged, and numerous individuals trapped under rubble.
Mayor Vitalii Klitschko provided further details about the impact of the attack on Kyiv, stating that 13 people, including a pregnant woman, were injured. Multiple apartment buildings caught fire in various districts of the city, exacerbating the already dire situation. Meanwhile, in the southern city of Mykolaiv, dozens of houses were destroyed, and one person tragically lost their life. The mayor of Mykolaiv, Oleksandr Senkevich, reported that roofs were stripped off 20 houses, and gas and water pipes were damaged.
The attacks extended beyond Kyiv and Mykolaiv, reaching as far as the Lviv region in western Ukraine. Officials confirmed that a fire broke out in Lviv due to missile strikes. Even in the northeastern city of Kharkiv, a 52-year-old woman sustained minor injuries in an S-300 missile attack.
The severity of these attacks prompted Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, to seek shelter in an air raid shelter during his visit to Kyiv. Borrell’s presence in Ukraine aimed to demonstrate the EU’s unwavering support as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine enters its third year. Last week, all 27 EU countries agreed on an additional 50-billion-euro ($54bn) aid package for Ukraine, highlighting the urgent need for Western assistance to address ammunition and personnel shortages.
While the front line between Russia and Ukraine has remained relatively stagnant in recent months, Russian forces possess a significant advantage in terms of missile and artillery ammunition for long-range strikes. The recent barrage of attacks follows a disturbing pattern of targeting civilians and critical infrastructure. Vadym Filashkin, the governor of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, revealed that Russia has been launching between 1,500 and 2,500 shells and missiles daily in the area. He further emphasized the destruction caused by Russia’s aerial bombings in the town of Avdiivka, where the population has dwindled from 32,000 to less than 1,000.
As Ukraine continues to grapple with the devastating consequences of these attacks, international support becomes increasingly crucial. The world watches with bated breath as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine shows no signs of abating, leaving innocent civilians caught in the crossfire and critical infrastructure in ruins.