Russia pounds Ukraine – Russia conducted multiple waves of missile and drone assaults across numerous Ukrainian regions, resulting in at least four fatalities, according to Ukraine’s military early Tuesday. This follows Russia’s most extensive airstrike of the conflict on its neighboring country.
In Kryvyi Rih, a central Ukrainian city, a hotel was completely destroyed in one of the attacks, leading to the deaths of two people, regional officials reported. Another two individuals were killed in drone strikes on the city of Zaporizhzhia, located to the east of Kryvyi Rih.
Air defense systems in the Kyiv region were activated several times overnight to intercept incoming missiles and drones targeting the Ukrainian capital, according to the region’s military administration on Telegram. Witnesses reported hearing at least three distinct explosions throughout the night in Kyiv.
On Monday, it was launched over 200 missiles and drones, resulting in at least seven deaths and significant damage to energy infrastructure. U.S. President Joe Biden discouraged the attacks as of “outrageous.”
Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War in Washington noted that Russia may struggle to sustain such large-scale strikes consistently due to potential limitations in its defense-industrial capacity. Pro-war Russian military bloggers, including the collective known as Rybar, described the attacks as “retaliation” for Ukraine’s recent incursion into Russian territory—an unprecedented event since World War II.
The Kremlin announced that it would respond to Ukraine’s actions in Kursk. However, three weeks into the incursion, Kyiv claims continued territorial advances, while Moscow reports ongoing clashes but has yet to expel Ukrainian forces.
Details on the scale and full impact of the Tuesday attacks remain unclear. Ukraine’s air force reported multiple drone launches and the deployment of strategic Tu-95 bombers and MiG-31 interceptors from Russian airbases.
Reuters has not been able to independently verify these reports, and there has been no immediate response from Russia. The Kremlin denies targeting civilians in the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The Russian’s Defense Ministry asserted that the missile and drone strikes conducted on Monday successfully achieved their intended targets, specifically within Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure. According to their statement, the operations were meticulously aimed at key infrastructure sites essential for Ukraine’s energy sector, indicating a deliberate and focused assault on facilities deemed crucial to the country’s power and resource management. Air raid alerts were in effect across Kryvyi Rih, Kyiv, and other central and eastern Ukrainian regions for most of the night, starting around 2000 GMT on Monday.
Russia-Ukraine war LIVE: pounds Ukraine with missiles, drones for second day in row | WION
In Kryvyi Rih, it is feared that two civilians may still be trapped under the rubble of the destroyed hotel, with five others reported injured. The attack also damaged six shops, four high-rise buildings, and eight vehicles, according to Serhiy Lisak, governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region where Kryvyi Rih is located.
In Zaporizhzhya, two people were killed and four injured in the overnight attack. Governor Ivan Fedorov attributed the casualties to strikes by Shahed drones, which are Iranian-made kamikaze drones used by Russia in its assaults.
Russia-Ukraine war : List of key events, day 914
Recent Attacks
In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Russia has launched a series of strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, impacting 15 regions with a barrage of drones and missiles. This assault has resulted in at least seven fatalities and left 47 individuals injured, including four children. The attacks have caused significant disruption to energy supplies and infrastructure.
Russian officials have confirmed the strikes, asserting that they targeted facilities integral to Ukraine’s military-industrial capabilities. Mykola Oleshchuk, commander of Ukraine’s Air Force, reported that Ukrainian forces managed to intercept 102 of 127 missiles and 99 of 109 drones. He characterized this wave of attacks as “the most massive” since the full-scale invasion commenced in February 2022.
Poland has also been affected, with reports of a potential drone entering its airspace and possibly crashing on Polish soil. Meanwhile, a missile attack in Kryvyi Rih, a central Ukrainian city, resulted in one death and four injuries. Rescue operations are ongoing as five individuals remain trapped under rubble.
The international community has reacted strongly to these developments. U.S. President Joe Biden condemned the attacks as “outrageous” and reaffirmed unwavering support for Ukraine. Additionally, a Reuters journalist, Ivan Lyubysh-Kirdey, is in critical condition following a missile strike on a Kramatorsk hotel where he and his team were staying. The attack also claimed the life of safety advisor Ryan Evans, while journalist Daniel Peleschuk was treated for injuries.
In response to the conflict, it was reported targeting Ukrainian positions in the Kursk and Sumy regions. These areas have seen active fighting, with Russia claiming to have repelled attacks and struck Ukrainian forces at various locations.
Diplomatic and Political Reactions
International diplomacy continues to play a significant role. U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have discussed the conflict, with Modi recently visiting Kyiv—a notable event as it marked the first visit by an Indian leader since Ukraine’s independence in 1991. Modi punctuate.
India’s support for a peaceful resolution.
Meanwhile, a Russian court is set to begin the trial of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher accused of illegal military information collection. Vinatier, associated with the Geneva-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, faces up to five years in prison if convicted.
In a related development, Russia was the sole member of the United Nations Security Council to miss an informal meeting in Switzerland, where the remaining 14 members reaffirmed their commitment to humanitarian law. Russia’s representative dismissed the meeting as a “waste of time.”
Advancements in Warfare
On the technological front, Ukraine has announced the development of a new long-range weapon named the Palianytsia. This weapon is designed to counter Russian bombings by striking deeper into Russian territory, according to Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. The introduction of the Palianytsia represents a significant step in Ukraine’s efforts to respond to ongoing aggression.