On Monday morning, Ukraine was shaken by a series of intense attacks as Russia launched a comprehensive assault involving drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, experienced multiple explosions, prompting residents to seek safety in bomb shelters. The attacks on Kyiv were part of a broader offensive that also struck other Ukrainian cities, including Poltava and Kharkiv.
Poltava Hit Hard by Ballistic Missiles
In Poltava, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that over 40 people were killed and nearly 180 others injured following a Russian missile strike. Preliminary reports indicate that two ballistic missiles targeted the city, hitting an educational institution and a nearby hospital. The destruction in Poltava underscores the severity of the ongoing conflict and the high civilian toll of these attacks.
Kyiv and Kharkiv Experience Devastation
In Kyiv, the early morning hours were marked by a series of explosions across the Holosiivskyi and Solomianskyi districts. Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko reported that emergency services responded to the attacks, with one person injured by debris in Shevchenkivskyi district. The air force detailed that Russia fired several groups of cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones at the capital. Ukrainian officials vowed retaliation, with Andrii Yermak, head of the Presidential Office, stating on Telegram, “There will be an answer for everything. The enemy will feel it.”
Russian Drone Attacks and Strikes on Russian Soil
The barrage of attacks comes on the heels of Russian military reporting a significant interception of Ukrainian drones. According to Russian sources, 158 drones targeting various regions in Russia were destroyed. The drones were intercepted over multiple regions, including Kursk, Bryansk, Voronezh, and Belgorod, with one drone causing a fire at an oil refinery in Moscow.
Russian Advances and Continued Conflict
In the ongoing conflict, Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed control over the towns of Pivnichne and Vyimka in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. The capture of these areas is part of Russia’s broader strategic goal to consolidate control over the eastern region of Ukraine. Russian forces are advancing towards Pokrovsk, a critical logistics hub for Ukrainian defense.
Casualties and Damage in Kharkiv
Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, also suffered significant damage. On Sunday, the city was hit by 10 missiles, resulting in damage to a shopping center, a sports facility, and residential buildings. Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported that 44 people were injured in these attacks. Additionally, shelling in the town of Kurakhove, near Pokrovsk, resulted in three deaths and nine injuries.
Ongoing Strikes and International Implications
Throughout the conflict, Ukraine has intensified its aerial assaults on Russian targets, including refineries and oil terminals, to hinder Russia’s military capabilities. The war, now stretching into its third year, continues to escalate with severe impacts on both Ukrainian and Russian territories.
The situation remains dire as both sides brace for further confrontations and the international community watches closely.
