Ukraine Faces Largest Air Assault Since Invasion: 12 Dead in Overnight Drone and Missile Strikes
At least 12 individuals have lost their lives and dozens more have been injured following a massive overnight drone and missile attack orchestrated by Russian forces across Ukraine, marking the biggest assault since the onset of Moscow's full-scale invasion in 2022. Among the dead are three children aged 8, 12, and 17, who were killed in Zhytomyr, located to the west of Kyiv. The attack claimed four lives in the Kyiv region, one in Mykolaiv to the south, and four more in the Khmelnytskyi region, as reported by officials.
The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, was a primary target of the drone assaults. Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that the city was under attack but reassured residents that air defenses were performing effectively. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia deployed an unprecedented number of aerial weapons overnight, with 298 drones and 69 missiles aimed at various targets. In response, Ukraine successfully intercepted 45 missiles and 266 drones.
Spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat highlighted this latest wave of attacks as the most significant in terms of the number of munitions used since the full-scale invasion began. Notably, despite the high volume of weaponry, previous strikes have resulted in a higher death toll.
Russian air defenses claimed they intercepted 110 Ukrainian drones overnight, with 13 successfully shot down over the Moscow and Tver regions; however, there were no immediate reports of casualties from these interceptions.
In Moscow, at least four airports, including the major Sheremetyevo, faced operational restrictions as a precautionary measure from Russian authorities. Just a day prior, the Ukrainian Air Force reported a series of strikes that included 14 ballistic missiles and 250 attack drones targeting Kyiv, leading to injuries among 15 people, which were characterized as some of the most significant assaults on the capital since the war began over three years ago.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remarked on the ongoing aerial offensives, suggesting that Moscow’s actions illustrate a continued commitment to prolong the conflict. He emphasized that only enhanced sanctions against crucial sectors of the Russian economy could compel Moscow to consider a ceasefire.
Amid these troubling developments, it's noteworthy that Russia and Ukraine engaged in a substantial exchange of prisoners over the weekend, providing a rare glimpse of cooperation in an otherwise stagnant effort towards achieving peace. As the situation evolves, the international community is closely monitoring developments and the humanitarian impact of the ongoing war.
Related Sources: