Reports from Ukraine’s military indicate that Russia has initiated a series of missile and drone attacks on multiple Ukrainian regions, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least four individuals. This comes on the heels of a significant attack on Ukraine’s power grid the day before.
In the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, two individuals lost their lives when a hotel was completely destroyed, as confirmed by regional officials on Tuesday. Additionally, two more casualties occurred in drone attacks on the city of Zaporizhzhia, east of Kryvyi Rih.
The Kyiv region’s air defense systems were actively engaged overnight in repelling missiles and drones targeting the capital, as reported by the regional military administration on the Telegram messaging app.
Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, disclosed that Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted around 15 drones and several incoming missiles near Kyiv during the overnight assault. He stated on Tuesday morning that all threats heading towards the capital had been neutralized.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported downing five missiles and 60 drones launched by Russia during the overnight attack. Russia purportedly launched a total of 91 projectiles, including 10 missiles and 81 Iranian-designed attack drones from various regions.
On the previous day, Russia executed over 200 missiles and drones strikes, resulting in the deaths of at least seven individuals and damage to critical energy infrastructure. US President Joe Biden condemned the attack, describing it as “outrageous.”
Biden’s statement emphasized his strong condemnation of Russia’s ongoing aggression towards Ukraine and its attempts to bring darkness upon the Ukrainian people. He asserted that Russia will never be victorious in Ukraine and that the resilience of the Ukrainian people will endure.
Residents in Kyiv sought refuge in metro stations amid the sounds of explosions believed to be air defense mechanisms throughout Monday. Yulia Voloshyna, a 34-year-old lawyer, expressed her anxiety and fear amidst the ongoing turmoil.
The full extent and impact of the attacks on Tuesday were still being assessed, with reports indicating the launch of multiple clusters of drones and the mobilization of Russian strategic bombers and interceptor aircraft.
‘Act of retaliation’
Some Russian military bloggers, including those under the moniker Rybar, viewed the attacks as a retaliatory response to Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region. Despite the Kremlin’s promised retaliation for Ukraine’s actions in Kursk, Kyiv has asserted further territorial gains in the region.
Al Jazeera’s Alex Gatopoulos, reporting from Kyiv, described Monday’s assaults as the most severe aerial attack Ukraine has faced in months, with a focus on crippling its vital infrastructure. The conflict continues to escalate with no immediate resolution in sight.
While the Kremlin refutes allegations of targeting civilians in the conflict initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin through a full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed to have struck all designated targets in Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during Monday’s attacks.
Several regions, including Kryvyi Rih, Kyiv, and central/ eastern Ukraine, were under air raid alerts for a significant portion of the night. The aftermath of the attacks in Kryvyi Rih and Zaporizhzhia left casualties, injuries, and extensive property damage, highlighting the tragic consequences of the ongoing conflict.
