On Friday, a significant aerial bombardment by Russia over Ukraine resulted in the deaths of at least 30 individuals and inflicted injuries on many others throughout the nation. This attack marked the most severe since the conflict’s onset nearly two years ago.
Ukrainian authorities reported that various civilian structures, including educational institutions, a maternity ward, commercial centers, and residential buildings, were struck in the onslaught.
During these attacks, a Russian missile was reported to have crossed into Polish airspace, leading to worldwide criticism and renewed pledges of military assistance for Ukraine, which has been contending with Russian military incursions since late February 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented, “Today Russia deployed nearly its entire arsenal against us.”
According to the Ukrainian military, Russia fired 158 missiles and drones at Ukraine, with 114 of them being intercepted.
Yuriy Ignat, a spokesperson for the Air Force, informed AFP that this represented a “record number” of missiles and was “the most extensive missile strike” since the early days of the war, which were marked by continuous heavy bombardment.
Russia aimed to incapacitate Ukraine’s air defense systems, targeting most major cities with an initial wave of Shahed drones, followed by a variety of missiles launched from aircraft and Russian-controlled territories.
Ukraine’s Interior Minister Igor Klymenko announced on Telegram that the Russian offensive had resulted in “30 fatalities and over 160 injuries on Ukrainian soil in the morning.”
Later on Friday, Russian officials acknowledged a strike on a residential building in Belgorod, situated 50 miles north of the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, which caused one death and four injuries.
Russian authorities intercepted a total of 13 missiles over the Belgorod region, bordering Ukraine, and destroyed a “drone-type aircraft” over the Bryansk region to the northwest.
The Russian military stated that it had executed “50 group strikes and one large-scale strike” on Ukrainian military facilities in the past week, asserting that “all targets were struck.”
The United Nations condemned these assaults, demanding an immediate cessation. Mohamed Khiari, UN assistant secretary-general, expressed deep regret, noting these attacks were the latest in a series of escalating actions by Russia.
Poland reported a Russian missile traversing its airspace. General Wieslaw Kukula, chief of the Polish armed forces’ general staff, confirmed, “A Russian missile entered and exited Polish airspace.”
Following discussions with Polish President Andrzej Duda, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed solidarity with Poland, emphasizing NATO’s heightened vigilance.
Facing persistent Russian attacks, Ukraine is calling for sustained Western military support. Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak emphasized the need for “more support and strength to halt this terror.”
US President Joe Biden urged Congress to quickly approve new aid for Ukraine, as Washington’s last package of weaponry under existing agreements awaited renewal by Congress.
Biden stressed, “Congress must act immediately, without any delay.”
The UK announced plans to send additional air-defense missiles to Kyiv, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak affirming the nation’s continued support for Ukraine.
The strikes affected at least six Ukrainian regions, including Kharkiv, Lviv, Dnipro, and Odesa.
In Kyiv, seven fatalities were reported by Mayor Vitali Klitschko, with damage occurring near Lukyanivska metro station and the Artyom arms factory, previously targeted by Russia.
Rescue efforts were underway in the Shevchenko district, following the collapse of a warehouse, as per the city administration.
In Dnipro, a maternity hospital was significantly damaged, though fortunately, staff and patients found shelter in time. Sergiy Lysak, governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, reported 12 women in labor and four newborns inside at the time of the strike.
Lysak also noted six deaths and 28 injuries from strikes on a shopping center, private residences, and administrative buildings in the region.
Kharkiv witnessed approximately 20 strikes, resulting in three civilian deaths and 11 injuries, according to Governor Oleg Synegubov.
In Zaporizhzhia, Governor Yuriy Malashko reported seven fatalities and 13 injuries.
Four deaths occurred in the Odesa region, which has faced renewed attacks since the summer.
Although strikes are rare over Lviv in western Ukraine, the region was not spared, with one death and 15 injuries reported. Residential buildings and two schools suffered damage, as noted by the interior ministry.
Zelensky visited Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine, a critical front-line location. He shared a video on Telegram, awarding medals to soldiers there, and expressed gratitude to those on the front lines for their service during a challenging year.
