On Saturday, Russia launched missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, killing 11 people and injuring dozens, Ukrainian officials reported. The attacks caused widespread destruction, hitting residential areas and energy infrastructure.
- Poltava: A Russian missile struck an apartment building, killing seven people and injuring 14, including three children.
- Kharkiv: A drone attack killed one person and injured four, according to the city’s mayor.
- Sumy Region: Three police officers were killed while patrolling during the assault.
Zelensky Calls for Stronger Air Defense
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks, urging for more air defense support from allies.
“Each terrorist attack proves we need stronger defenses. Every missile interceptor saves lives,” he said on Telegram.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 123 drones and over 40 missiles, of which 56 drones were shot down and 61 were redirected.
Energy Infrastructure Under Attack
The strikes also targeted critical energy infrastructure:
- In Poltava, 18 residential buildings, a kindergarten, and gas facilities sustained damage.
- In Kharkiv, six missiles and 17 Shahed drones struck gas pipelines and other facilities.
- Damage was also reported in Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, and Khmelnytskyi regions.
Russia Intensifies Assaults Amid War’s Third Year
Russia’s Defence Ministry confirmed its forces attacked Ukraine’s energy sector, claiming to have shot down 108 Ukrainian drones within 24 hours.
Since March 2024, Russia has been systematically targeting Ukraine’s power sector, knocking out half of the country’s power supply and causing rolling blackouts.
The latest strikes come as the war nears its three-year mark, with Russian forces making gradual advances in eastern Ukraine, edging closer to the strategic hub of Pokrovsk.
Conclusion
As both sides ramp up drone and missile warfare, Ukraine faces growing humanitarian and energy crises. With infrastructure under attack and winter approaching, Kyiv continues to appeal for stronger international military support.
