KYIV: According to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday, Russian missiles attacked the country’s two biggest cities, leaving over 130 people injured, 18 people dead, and significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Three waves of destruction were unleashed on the eastern city of Kharkiv in the most recent attacks, which came as Moscow’s battle against Ukraine was drawing to a close. Strikes also struck Kherson’s southern district, which had previously been under continual shelling, and Kyiv in central Ukraine.
Zelenskiy disclosed in his nightly video presentation that Russia had launched about forty missiles of various sorts in “another combined strike to try to circumvent our air defense system.”
The effects were extensive, affecting almost 200 locations, including 139 residential buildings.Zelenskiy emphasized that the loss of life occurred in a typical high-rise apartment building where “ordinary people lived there.” Kharkiv, a city accustomed to the carnage of war, suffered eight casualties, according to the mayor and the governor of the region. The aftermath showed scenes of search and rescue operations in a shattered apartment building, with the threat of falling debris prompting a suspension of operations before midnight. Governor Oleh Synehubov highlighted the extensive damage, revealing that over 100 high-rise blocks were affected in the initial attacks. The Ukrainian General Staff reported the destruction of 22 out of 44 missiles, demonstrating the military’s resiliency against the onslaught.
The timing of these strikes matched the emphasis that Russian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov placed on the escalation of missile assaults during an international ministerial meeting on Kyiv’s defense requirements. Umerov revealed that Russian military have used more than 1,000 drones and more than 600 missiles in the last two months alone.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed Berlin’s intention to sending six “Sea King” helicopters to Ukraine later this year in response to the worsening situation, marking a major step forward in international support.
Emergency services in Kiev recorded 22 injuries across several districts, including four children. Rescuers were seen caring to casualties among glass shards and debris as the hits transpired. Damage close to the UN building was also affected, emphasizing the wide-ranging effects.
