KYIV – A wave of Russian missiles struck Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine, resulting in dozens of injuries and at least four fatalities.
Residential buildings were set ablaze, reducing some to rubble in the overnight barrage.
The devastating attacks escalated the already intense conflict, prompting rescue workers to navigate scenes of destruction and aid injured residents.
In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, near the Russian border, the regional governor reported three residents killed and 42 wounded.
The aftermath revealed smoldering rubble and injured citizens being rescued by emergency personnel.
The Ukrainian army chief, Valery Zaluzhny, disclosed that Russian forces fired 41 missiles, including cruise, ballistic, and surface-to-air missiles, with Ukrainian forces successfully intercepting 21 of them.
Kyiv, the capital, faced air raid sirens and loud blasts, causing damage to buildings and vehicles.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated that 20 people were wounded in central districts of the city, where fires broke out.
The attacks sent shockwaves through the population, with witnesses describing the scenes as terrifying.
“I am very upset. It’s really scary. A window was broken also in our dormitory. It was loud,” said Daryna Bodenchuk, a 17-year-old interior design student.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shymgal responded to the assault, declaring, “We must make Russia pay for the suffering and pain it has caused to Ukraine.”
However, the Kremlin denied targeting civilian infrastructure and reiterated its commitment to the ongoing military operation.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, “We are continuing our special military operation, and our military does not hit social facilities and residential neighborhoods, and does not hit civilians – unlike the Kyiv regime.”
The Kremlin’s denial came as Russia continued its nearly two-year invasion of Ukraine.
The toll from the missile barrage adds to the already devastating impact of the conflict, with tens of thousands of military personnel and civilians believed to have lost their lives.
The United Nations (UN) has documented over 10,200 deaths, including 575 children, and 19,300 wounded.
However, these figures are likely conservative, and the true toll is expected to be much higher.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba emphasized the need for control over Ukrainian airspace, urging allies to support the country in bolstering its air defense capabilities.
As Ukraine grapples with the aftermath of the missile strikes, the international community closely watches the unfolding humanitarian crisis and the urgent need for diplomatic resolutions to end the conflict.
