Russia attacks Ukraine overnight and in the morning with 158 missiles and combat drones. Educational institutions and residential buildings are hit. At least 18 people are killed and more than 100 injured.
According to information from Kiev, Russia has carried out the “most massive air attack” on Ukraine since the beginning of the war. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, 158 missiles and combat drones were used against the country. The Ukrainian commander-in-chief Valeryi Zalushnyj spoke of 122 rockets and cruise missiles as well as 36 drones.
The air defense was able to intercept over 70 percent of them. The attack took place in several waves from different directions and using strategic bombers.
Dead and injured
The number of deaths rose to at least 18, Ukrainian regional authorities said. Over 100 people were also injured.
In the city of Dnipro alone, there were 5 civilian deaths and more than 20 injured, according to the local military administration. Russia attacked large parts of the country during the night and morning.
“About 110 rockets were launched, most of them shot down,” wrote Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his Telegram channel. The highest officially reported number of Russian missiles fired into Ukraine in one day was over 90.
According to Zelensky, the damage was extensive in the civilian sector; a maternity ward, educational institutions, a shopping center and many private residential buildings were hit, he said. He accompanied the statements with a video that, among other things, showed a completely destroyed shopping center.
Air force spokesman Jurij Ihnat emphasized: “Practically everything flew, except Kalibr cruise missiles.” Kinschal hypersonic missiles, S-300 ballistic missiles, various cruise missiles and long-range drones of Iranian design were used. Around 18 strategic bombers were in the air.
Nationwide air alert
During the night, Russia had attacked Ukraine from several directions with drones and missiles. Lviv was attacked by more than ten Shahed kamikaze drones, Mayor Andriy Sadowyj said on Telegram. There are said to have been several impacts. In the Sumy region, three people were injured and an apartment building and a workshop were damaged when a rocket hit the town of Konotop. More than ten rockets also fell in Kharkiv during the night. Initially there was no official information about injuries. The extent of the damage must be checked, it said.
The second wave of air strikes followed in the morning. Air alerts were raised across the country because of the attacks. The Ukrainians were asked to go to air raid shelters. The capital Kiev and the industrial city of Dnipro were also targeted by the Russians. Explosions were reported in both megacities. It was initially unclear whether these were impacts from Russian missiles or whether they were shot down by anti-aircraft defenses.
Russia launched its war of aggression against Ukraine more than 22 months ago and continues to bombard civilian targets far behind the front. Last winter, energy supply facilities in particular were the target of Russian attacks. Experts warn against a repeat of this tactic this winter. Moscow’s goal is to plunge Ukrainians into cold and darkness in order to increase war fatigue. Attacks on civilian objects are considered war crimes.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
