Russia hammers Ukraine in biggest prolonged drone attack since war began
Russia hammers Ukraine in biggest prolonged drone attack since war began
Russia hammers Ukraine in biggest prolonged – Overnight attacks by Russian forces struck Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, resulting in the deaths of at least 17 individuals and injuring scores, as confirmed by local authorities. The assault marked a significant escalation, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reporting over 1,560 drones and 56 missiles launched in a two-day period. This barrage, according to Zelensky, was the most extensive aerial attack on Ukraine since the war began, intensifying the challenges faced by the nation’s air defense systems.
CNN’s on-the-ground team noted that air raid sirens blared for approximately 11 hours during Wednesday and into the early hours of Thursday. The scale of the attack was underscored by the destruction of a nine-story residential building, where emergency services confirmed 16 fatalities. Among the victims was a 12-year-old girl, as detailed by Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, who also noted the death of a 15-year-old girl. Another resident succumbed to injuries after being struck in an attack on a gas station, as shared by local police.
Residents described the chaos and fear that followed the strikes. Olena Suntovska, a 38-year-old mother of three, recounted the moment the explosion hit: “I heard a loud explosion. I ran out to the kitchen and saw people running around the yard, calling for help. Then I rushed out of the building and saw that the front entrance was gone.” Suntovska’s account highlights the suddenness of the attack and the panic it induced. “I was scared – it’s so stressful for me because I was worried about the kids,” she added, emphasizing the personal toll of the conflict.
Polina, a 76-year-old resident, shared her experience of the attack. “I never imagined the damage would be this bad; when I went out into the yard, I couldn’t believe my eyes,” she said, requesting to be identified by her first name. Polina’s balcony window was shattered, leaving her in disbelief. “We don’t have a proper bomb shelter here. There’s only one in a nearby building not in ours, so we don’t go down anywhere,” she explained, pointing to the lack of preparedness for such large-scale strikes.
The mayor of Kyiv described the attack as “the enemy’s largest-scale assault on the capital,” vowing to declare a day of mourning for the victims. Zelensky emphasized that the strikes were not random, stating that Russia had “stockpiled drones and missiles over a period of time and deliberately timed the strike to ensure its scale was significant and the challenges for our air defense were as great as possible.” He noted that Ukraine is working to counter the assault, signaling a readiness to respond to the growing threat.
Meanwhile, attacks continued to impact other regions. In Kharkiv, a morning strike left at least 28 people injured, while two individuals were wounded in the Odesa region. The widespread attacks also targeted Poltava and Zaporizhzhia, damaging critical infrastructure such as energy facilities and railway systems. In Kyiv, a power substation and a high-voltage power line were struck, according to DTEK, a Ukrainian energy company. The Kharkiv region’s Ukrzaliznytsia reported that a train locomotive was damaged, though the crew managed to evacuate safely before the situation worsened.
The sustained aerial assault has raised concerns about the long-term effects on Ukraine’s infrastructure and civilian population. Emergency services are still searching for more than a dozen missing individuals trapped beneath the rubble of the collapsed Kyiv building. This highlights the ongoing risks faced by residents, even as the city scrambles to assess the damage and support the injured. The psychological impact on citizens is equally profound, with many expressing anxiety over the unpredictability of the strikes.
Zelensky’s remarks underscore the strategic intent behind the attacks. By concentrating a massive number of drones and missiles, Russia aimed to overwhelm Ukraine’s defenses and create a sense of vulnerability. This approach aligns with a broader pattern of intensifying operations, which have increasingly targeted urban areas to maximize civilian casualties and disrupt daily life. The president also hinted at Ukraine’s plans to retaliate, suggesting that the attacks may provoke a stronger response from the nation’s armed forces.
Residents’ firsthand accounts paint a vivid picture of the destruction and fear caused by the strikes. Suntovska’s description of fleeing the building with her children reflects the urgency and terror of the moment. Polina’s disbelief at the damage to her home illustrates the personal connection to the war’s impact. These stories add a human element to the statistical toll, reminding readers of the everyday lives disrupted by the conflict.
As Kyiv continues to recover, the attack serves as a grim reminder of the war’s relentless nature. The city’s resilience, however, remains a testament to its determination. Despite the devastation, efforts are underway to stabilize the situation and provide aid to those affected. The ongoing strikes also highlight the evolving tactics of Russian forces, which now rely heavily on drones and missiles to conduct prolonged assaults with minimal exposure to direct retaliation.
In the days following the attack, the focus will shift to rebuilding and reinforcing defenses. The loss of life and property underscores the severity of the situation, but it also reinforces the resolve of Ukraine’s leadership and people. With each strike, the war’s footprint deepens, demanding continued vigilance and strategic adaptation from both sides. The events in Kyiv are a pivotal moment in the conflict, marking a new phase of aerial warfare that will likely shape the war’s trajectory in the coming weeks.