Russia Launches Massive Aerial Attack with 122 Missiles and 36 Drones, Ukraine’s Largest Barrage

Russia Launches Largest Aerial Attack on Ukraine, Killing 24 Civilians

In what officials are calling the biggest aerial barrage of the war, Russia launched 122 missiles and dozens of drones against Ukrainian targets, resulting in the deaths of at least 24 civilians across the country. The Ukrainian air force was able to intercept most of the ballistic and cruise missiles and the Shahed-type drones overnight, according to Ukraine’s military chief, Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk described it as “the most massive aerial attack” since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. This attack surpassed the previous record set in November 2022 when Russia launched 96 missiles against Ukraine. Western officials and analysts had recently warned that Russia was stockpiling cruise missiles for massive strikes during the winter.

Ukraine Urges Western Allies for More Air Defenses

Ukrainian officials have appealed to their Western allies to provide more air defenses to protect against future aerial attacks. The recent attack has highlighted the urgent need for increased support. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called for further action in support of Ukraine, stating that Putin will stop at nothing to eradicate freedom and democracy. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba emphasized the scale of the attack and urged major capitals and parliaments to provide further support.

Impact of the Attack

The 18-hour onslaught resulted in at least 130 injuries and an unknown number of people buried under rubble. Buildings across Ukraine, including a maternity hospital, apartment blocks, and schools, were damaged. In Boyarka, a city near Kyiv, a drone wreckage fell on a home and caused a fire. The war fatigue is evident as Ukrainians realize that any house can be affected by the ongoing conflict.

President Zelenskyy’s Response

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, stating that Russia used nearly every type of weapon in its arsenal. The Ukrainian Air Force spokesman revealed that Russia launched everything they had, except for submarine-launched Kalibr missiles. The aerial attack targeted six cities, including Kyiv, and caused deaths and damage across the country.

Specific Locations Affected

The eastern city of Dnipro experienced five deaths and 20 injuries, with four maternity hospital patients being rescued from a fire. In Odesa, falling drone wreckage started a fire at a residential building, resulting in two deaths and 15 injuries. The western city of Lviv reported one death, eight injuries, and damage to three schools and a kindergarten due to a drone attack. Kyiv faced several dozen missile launches, with more than 30 interceptions. The capital also experienced a warehouse fire and three fatalities. Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine was subjected to multiple waves of aerial attacks, resulting in one death and at least nine injuries.

The recent attack serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the need for continued support from the international community. The Ukrainian people are resilient but require additional resources to defend against future attacks.