Reports indicate that 18 civilians lost their lives, while over 130 individuals sustained injuries during a Russian missile assault.
Russia conducted a substantial missile attack on various regions of Ukraine, resulting in casualties and extensive damage to residential areas. The assault targeted locations in Kyiv, southern, and western parts of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian foreign ministry responded to the year-end air assault, stating that the severity of the attacks dismisses any possibility of discussing a truce with Russia. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba urged for continued long-term military support from allies, highlighting the significant impact of the explosions that resonated across Ukraine.
Eyewitnesses from Kyiv described the chaos and fear caused by the strikes. Residents recounted harrowing experiences of waking up to loud explosions and seeking refuge amid the turmoil. The Ukrainian Air Force reported intercepting a substantial number of missiles and drones launched by Russia.
Poland’s military noted an unidentified aerial object entering its airspace from Ukraine, subsequently disappearing from radar tracking. Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat acknowledged similar incidents during previous Russian air strikes in neighboring countries.
General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine’s army chief, highlighted the targeted nature of the attack, aiming at critical infrastructure, industrial sites, and military installations. However, Russia, denying allegations of civilian targeting, did not immediately respond to the accusations.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy detailed the scale of the assault, mentioning Russia’s significant deployment of approximately 110 missiles, with most being intercepted.
Prior warnings from Ukraine about potential Russian missile stockpiling for an air assault on the energy system were noted, recalling past incidents of widespread blackouts caused by strikes on the power grid.
Described as one of the most substantial missile attacks since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, the assault caused power outages in multiple regions, including southern Odesa, northeastern Kharkiv, central Dnipropetrovsk, and areas surrounding Kyiv.
The aftermath revealed widespread destruction, with reports of rescuers navigating through debris in Zaporizhzhia, where a strike claimed lives and caused significant damage to residential structures. Reports emerged of casualties from various locations, including fatalities and injuries in Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Lviv, and Kharkiv due to missile strikes on residential buildings and infrastructure.
