KYIV, Ukraine. Russia launched a staggering 122 missiles and 36 drones on various Ukrainian targets, resulting in the deaths of at least 24 civilians and leaving more than 130 people injured. Ukrainian officials declared it as the most extensive aerial attack since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Ukraine’s military chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, reported that the Ukrainian air force successfully intercepted the majority of the ballistic and cruise missiles, along with the Shahed-type drones, during the overnight assault. Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk characterized it as “the most massive aerial attack” since the invasion began.
According to records from the Ukrainian air force, the previous largest assault occurred in November 2022 when Russia launched 96 missiles. This recent attack surpassed that number, marking a grim escalation in the conflict. Analysts had warned of a potential increase in Russia’s missile strikes during the winter months.
The ongoing winter weather has slowed down the fighting along the front line, following Ukraine’s unsuccessful summer counteroffensive. Ukrainian officials have urged Western allies to provide additional air defenses to protect against such aerial attacks, expressing concerns about war fatigue affecting international support.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the massive attack, emphasizing the need for global action in support of Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba echoed these sentiments, calling for heightened awareness of Ukraine’s urgent needs.
The 18-hour onslaught targeted six cities, including Kyiv, resulting in extensive damage and casualties. Reports of deaths and injuries poured in from across the country, with a maternity hospital, apartment blocks, and schools among the damaged structures.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia employed a wide variety of weapons, including ballistic and cruise missiles, during the attack. Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat noted that Russia seemed to deploy nearly all available weaponry, excluding submarine-launched Kalibr missiles.
The grim toll included casualties in cities such as Dnipro, Odesa, Lviv, Kyiv, and Kharkiv. In Dnipro, a maternity hospital was affected, resulting in five deaths and 20 injuries. Odesa saw falling drone wreckage causing a fire in a residential building, leading to two deaths and 15 injuries. Lviv experienced casualties and damage to schools and a kindergarten due to a drone attack.
The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, faced several waves of missile launches, with over 30 missiles intercepted. The attacks sparked fires, including one at a warehouse in the Podil district, where three people lost their lives.
The mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, reported at least three waves of aerial attacks, resulting in one fatality and numerous injuries. The attack included S-300 and Kh-21 missile launches.
As the international community grapples with the shocking scale of the attack, Ukrainian officials are calling for increased support to counter the escalating threat posed by Russia.
