Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched a “large-scale joint strike using attack drones and various air-to-air and ground-to-air missiles” against Ukraine, with the main target being the capital city, Kyiv.
Ukrainian Acting Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated that Russia fired over 40 missiles flying along ballistic trajectories, marking the highest number of ballistic missile launches since the war began.
President Zelensky of Ukraine stated, “The enemy launched over 40 various types of missiles – most targeting the capital (Kyiv) – and 120 attack drones.”
CNN’s reporter based in Kyiv reported that the intensity of Russia’s bombardment was high, concentrated within a two-hour period overnight. The city woke up to heavy smoke lingering in the air, with air raid alarms still in effect.
The Ukrainian Air Force announced that their anti-air systems “shot down or intercepted 126 aerial targets, including 18 missiles and 108 drones.” However, they also mentioned that 23 missiles and 10 drones managed to hit 20 locations.
The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that Russian forces conducted a “large-scale strike” on defense industry facilities and logistical centers in Kyiv.
Footage from Kyiv showed a massive crater on the ground, buildings charred, and a large logistic warehouse severely damaged. According to the National Emergency Service, all five districts of the capital were hit by airstrikes, resulting in one death and 16 injuries.
A resident named Vlad told Reuters that when the explosion occurred, he was in his apartment and the blast wave blew off the balcony door, hitting him on the head.
“My grandmother and I live together, she can’t walk. How could I escape and leave her behind?” Vlad expressed his dilemma.
Local authorities in Ukraine reported that in the past 24 hours, Russian drone and missile attacks have caused at least 16 civilian deaths and 77 injuries, with the majority of casualties occurring in Kharkiv and Donetsk regions.
The escalating attacks by Russia have put pressure on Ukraine’s foreign partners to expedite the supply of ballistic missile defense systems. President Zelensky stated on social media platform X, “Defense against ballistic missiles remains our top priority. We need interceptors every day.”
While under attack from Russian forces, Ukraine is also actively retaliating.
Zelensky mentioned on X platform, “We continue to respond in a completely legitimate and precise manner to Russian attacks. Today, Ukraine’s long-range ‘sanction’ strikes hit designated targets that support and fund Russia’s aggression. Ukraine’s Security Service (SSU) forces also targeted three oil depots in the Stavropol region of Russia. Our armed forces also attacked another fuel facility in the region. Three Russian ‘shadow fleet’ oil tankers in the Black Sea were directly hit. I thank every unit for making it clearer to Russia that this war must end.”