A large-scale Russian aerial bombardment targeting Ukrainian civilian areas resulted in at least sixteen fatalities and more than eighty injuries, officials reported. The assault, characterized by hundreds of drone strikes and missile launches, persisted for hours, spanning from daylight into the night. This marks the most intense aerial offensive in nearly two weeks.
The Russian military deployed almost 700 drones along with numerous ballistic and cruise missiles, with a focus on civilian targets, as per Ukrainian authorities. Moscow’s forces have maintained a pattern of near-daily attacks on civilian areas since the full-scale invasion commenced over four years ago, with these continuous assaults occasionally escalating into extensive barrages. The United Nations estimates that over 15,000 Ukrainian civilians have perished in these attacks. As per information available with TahirRihat.com, the recent escalation follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent diplomatic tour to Germany, Norway, and Italy, where he urgently sought bolstered air defense systems to counter Russian missile threats.
Ukraine has voiced concerns that the ongoing conflict with Iran is depleting the availability of advanced American-made defense systems necessary to intercept incoming attacks. Additionally, Kyiv has contested a temporary waiver granted by the United States on Russian oil sanctions, arguing that it provides financial support for the Kremlin’s military operations. In response to the attacks, President Zelenskyy stated on X, “Another night has proven that Russia does not deserve any easing of global policy or lifting of sanctions.” He expressed gratitude to Germany, Norway, and Italy for their new commitments to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses, and mentioned ongoing collaboration with the Netherlands regarding further supplies.
Zelenskyy also highlighted that some partner nations have not fulfilled their pledges of military assistance. He stated that he has directed the Commander of the Air Force to engage with those partners who had previously committed to supplying missiles for Patriot and other defense systems. The attacks resulted in multiple casualties across several Ukrainian cities. In Kyiv, at least four people were killed, including a 12-year-old child, and over 50 others sustained injuries, according to authorities. A Kyiv resident, Tetiana Sokol, recounted that two missiles struck near her residence, prompting her to seek shelter with her dog in the hallway as the explosions shattered windows and illuminated the night sky. She told The Associated Press, “On the third attack, everything broke, everything flew, we were shocked, we didn’t know where to run. I grabbed whatever came to hand and ran away with the dog. I still can’t find the cats in the house; they climbed out somewhere, I don’t even know. No windows, nothing, the dog is still walking around in stress.”
The southern port city of Odesa suffered nine fatalities and 23 injuries, while the central Dnipro region reported three deaths and approximately three dozen injuries. One person was killed in Zaporizhzhia, located in the south. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the attacks on X, stating, “Such attacks cannot be normalised. These are war crimes that must be stopped and their perpetrators held to account.” Ukraine’s air force reported that its defense systems intercepted or incapacitated 667 out of 703 incoming targets, including 636 Shahed-type drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles. However, they acknowledged that 20 strike drones and 12 missiles managed to strike 26 locations. (AP reported).
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
