By Russia has launched a second consecutive day of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, targeting multiple regions and causing significant damage. The assaults have resulted in at least four deaths, following a major strike on Ukraine’s power grid the previous day.
In Kryvyi Rih, central Ukraine, two people were killed when a hotel was destroyed. Meanwhile, in Zaporizhzhia, east of Kryvyi Rih, two more people died in drone attacks. The Kyiv region’s air defense systems were heavily engaged overnight, intercepting missiles and drones aimed at the capital.
Ukraine’s air defenses successfully shot down approximately 15 drones and several missiles near Kyiv, according to Serhiy Popko, head of the city’s military administration. Overall, Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting five missiles and 60 drones out of the 91 projectiles launched by Russia, which included 10 missiles and 81 Iranian-designed drones.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed retaliation, stating that Russia’s actions would not go unpunished. The attacks have left parts of Kyiv without power, and efforts to repair the energy grid are ongoing.
On Monday, Russia launched over 200 missiles and drones, killing at least seven people and targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. U.S. President Joe Biden condemned the attacks, emphasizing that Russia would not succeed in breaking the spirit of the Ukrainian people. Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed that the strikes hit all intended targets, primarily focusing on Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure.
Some Russian military bloggers described the attacks as retaliation for Ukraine’s recent incursion into Russia’s Kursk region. Despite Russia’s claims of continued bombardment, it has not been able to dislodge Ukrainian forces from the area.
In Zaporizhzhia, the attacks, involving Iranian-made kamikaze drones, caused significant casualties and damage. Two civilians remain trapped under rubble in Kryvyi Rih, with several others injured. The overnight attacks led to widespread damage to infrastructure, including shops, residential buildings, and vehicles.
Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), visited Russia’s Kursk nuclear power plant, which has reportedly been under threat from Ukrainian forces. Grossi emphasized the importance of safeguarding nuclear facilities, which have been repeatedly endangered throughout the conflict.
Meanwhile, Russian sources reported an attempted breach of the border in the Belgorod region by Ukrainian forces, though there was no immediate official confirmation of fighting. Local authorities assured residents that the situation was under control but urged them to rely on official information sources.
