Russia's deadliest attack on Ukraine since the beginning of the year: at least 17 dead and more than 100 injured
Russia launched one of the largest attacks on Ukraine this year, killing at least 17 and wounding more than 100, following a wave of nearly 700 drones and dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles, according to Ukrainian authorities, The Guardian notes.
PHOTO: Video Capture
According to preliminary information, nine people died in the port city of Odesa, four in Kiev – including a 12-year-old boy – three in the Dnipro region and another victim in Zaporozhye.
The air raid alarm was sounded in the Ukrainian capital at around 2.30am, followed by loud explosions and the activation of air defense systems.
Witnesses recount moments of panic during the attack. A 27-year-old student, Mykhailo Barvinko, reported that the impact was almost instantaneous.
“I heard the air raid alarm and was about to go down to the shelter when the windows blew out. There was a flash of lightning and two seconds later a huge shock wave,” he said.
Another survivor, Olena, described the moment she was woken up by successive explosions.
“It was 6.53 in the morning. The watch fell, the battery came out and I saw the time. We were very scared and could hear the plaster falling. The windows were smashed.”she said.
Ukraine's air force said Russia used about 700 drones and dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles in the attack, in one of the most intense bombardments in months.
The attacks targeted civilian infrastructure and residential areas, and response teams were also hit by a second wave of strikes as they tried to rescue victims.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently warned that the country's air defense systems are under pressure, including the Patriot systems supplied by the United States.
“The situation can't be worse than that,” Zelensky said, according to recent statements.
The Kiev leader called for increased international military and economic support, stressing that the attacks demonstrate the need to maintain sanctions against Russia.
“Another overnight attack shows that Russia does not deserve any relaxation of global policy or lifting of sanctions“, Zelensky said.
The attack comes as the war launched by Russia in 2022 continues to affect both Ukraine's civilian infrastructure and energy security.
In parallel, the Russian authorities also reported victims following some Ukrainian attacks on the infrastructure in the Black Sea area, including the port of Tuapse, used for oil exports.
The exchange of attacks between the two states indicates a continued escalation of the conflict, while international negotiations have so far failed to produce a ceasefire.
Ukrainian authorities described the attacks as “war crimes” and called for those involved to be held accountable, while the situation on the ground remains extremely volatile.
