At least 10 killed in Russian attack on Ukraine
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack across Ukraine, targeting cities including Kyiv and Dnipro, killing at least 10 people and wounding about 100.
- Ukrainian air force reported downing 40 missiles and 602 drones out of Russia's total launch of 73 missiles and 656 drones.
- Russia stated the strikes targeted Ukraine's defense industry sites in retaliation for "terrorist attacks," while Ukraine denied responsibility for a recent attack in Luhansk.
Russian forces unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones across Ukraine early Tuesday, striking cities including the capital Kyiv and the southeastern hub of Dnipro. Authorities reported at least 10 fatalities and approximately 100 injuries resulting from the widespread assault. The attacks followed days of warnings from Moscow about its intentions to conduct major strikes.
We couldnโt understand what was happening โ some kind of apocalypse?
Ukraine's air force claimed to have intercepted a significant portion of the aerial onslaught, stating that 40 missiles and 602 drones were downed or neutralized. This came after Russia launched a total of 73 missiles and 656 drones targeting 38 cities between Monday evening and Tuesday morning, with Kyiv bearing the brunt of the attack. The Russian defense ministry asserted that the overnight strikes successfully hit designated targets within Ukraine's defense industry sector, framing the action as a response to "terrorist attacks."
In Kyiv, overnight strikes resulted in four deaths and 58 injuries, including children, according to the city's mayor, Vitali Klitschko. Photographs depicted massive explosions and thick plumes of smoke rising above residential buildings. One resident described the scene as "some kind of apocalypse," with debris and smoke obscuring visibility. A 24-story apartment building was hit by a suspected missile, causing a partial collapse and trapping residents, while a nine-story block and several cars were also damaged or set ablaze.
Everything was covered [with debris], everything in smoke, you could see nothing.
Further south in Dnipro, missile and drone attacks claimed six lives and injured 36 people, according to regional governor Oleksandr Hanzha. Images from the city showed destroyed homes, burnt-out vehicles, and a damaged children's playground. Air raid sirens wailed across much of the country as Ukraine's air defense systems engaged the incoming threats. The escalation follows recent warnings from the Kremlin about systematic strikes on Kyiv, which it linked to a drone attack on a dormitory in Russian-held Luhansk that killed 21 people, an accusation Ukraine denied.
The strike objectives have been achieved, all designated targets have been hit.
Originally published by Irish Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.