Russia launches its biggest aerial attack on Ukraine to date
In a disturbing turn of events, Russia initiated a staggering attack with 122 missiles and numerous drones, leading to the tragic loss of at least 24 civilian lives across Ukraine. The officials from Ukraine said that this is the most deadly aerial attack since the war began last year.
The Ukrainian Air Force, led by military chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, managed to intercept the majority of the ballistic and cruise missiles and Shahed-type drones during the overnight onslaught.
Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk conveyed on his official Telegram channel that this assault represents the most massive aerial attack witnessed since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Records from the Ukrainian Air Force indicate that the previous largest assault occurred in November 2022. That time 96 missiles were fired, while the current attack surpassed this with 122 missiles, demonstrating a dangerous escalation.
Winter weather has largely stalled front-line fighting after Ukraine’s unsuccessful summer counteroffensive, providing a backdrop for Russia to unleash this extensive assault, potentially aiming to wear down Ukrainian morale. Ukrainian officials, grappling with war fatigue, have urgently appealed to Western allies for increased air defenses to protect against such aerial attacks.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, reacting to the large-scale attack, said that the need of the hour is for more global support for Ukraine. His tweet read “These widespread attacks on Ukraine’s cities show (Russian President Vladimir) Putin will stop at nothing to achieve his aim of eradicating freedom and democracy. We must continue to stand with Ukraine — for as long as it takes.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba echoed this sentiment in his tweet. On X, he wrote”Today, millions of Ukrainians awoke to the loud sound of explosions,” he wrote on X. “I wish those sounds of explosions in Ukraine could be heard all around the world. In all major capitals, headquarters, and parliaments, which are currently debating further support for Ukraine.”
Reports indicate at least 130 people were injured and an unknown number buried under rubble during the approximately 18-hour onslaught, with significant damage to structures such as a maternity hospital, apartment blocks, and schools across Ukraine. The impact reached various cities, including Kyiv, Dnipro, Odesa, Lviv, and Kharkiv, with casualties reported in each location.
The horrifying aftermath includes incidents like a drone wreckage causing a fire in Boyarka near Kyiv, resulting in injuries and shock. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, noting the use of a wide array of weapons by the Kremlin’s forces. Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat highlighted that Russia seemingly deployed nearly all available weapons in this assault, except for submarine-launched Kalibr missiles.
As the world grapples with the enormity of this assault, Ukraine braces for further challenges and emphasizes the urgent need for global solidarity in the face of escalating aggression.
