Russia’s air attack on Ukraine marked one of the deadliest assaults since the war’s outset nearly two years ago. The latest attack resulted in the tragic loss of at least 30 lives and left over a hundred people injured across Ukraine.
The offensive targeted a range of civilian and public structures, including schools, a maternity hospital, shopping centres, and residential blocks. These attacks have drawn widespread international criticism and have led to renewed commitments of military support for Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the attack as one of the most extensive, stating that Russia used nearly all weapons in its arsenal.
According to Ukraine’s military, Russia launched a total of 158 missiles and drones, of which 114 were successfully intercepted.
Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ignat highlighted the scale of this assault, noting it as a record number of missiles and the most massive missile attack outside the early days of the war. The attack strategy involved a combination of Shahed attack drones and various types of missiles launched from planes and Russian-controlled territories.
The aftermath of the attack was devastating, with Ukrainian Interior Minister Igor Klymenko confirming 30 fatalities and over 160 injuries. In contrast, the Russian army reported conducting 50 group strikes and one massive strike on Ukrainian military facilities over the past week, claiming to have hit all intended targets. This disparity in reports underscores the ongoing conflict and the severe impact on civilian life in Ukraine.