Russia Launches Deadly Overnight Strikes on Ukraine Amid Putin's Birthday
Kyiv anticipated the attack, but couldn't fully repel the barrage of missiles and drones that killed at least 19 civilians.
Russian missiles and drones struck Kyiv and over a dozen other Ukrainian regions overnight, killing at least 19 civilians, including four children, and wounding approximately 60. Ukrainian officials confirmed the casualties on Wednesday.
President Volodymyr Zelensky had warned of a potential large-scale attack the previous day, citing intelligence reports of a Russian buildup. Despite the forewarning, Ukraine was unable to prevent the strikes, which coincided with Russian President Vladimir Putin's 74th birthday.
The attacks highlighted Ukraine's challenges in defending against Russia's ballistic missiles and new jet-powered drones, which have been central to Moscow's escalating aerial bombardments. Ukraine faces a critical shortage of ammunition for its US-made Patriot air defense systems, impacting its ability to intercept Russian ballistic weapons. The country is also working to develop interceptors capable of countering Moscow's high-speed drones.
Russia and Ukraine remain in a protracted aerial war as their ground forces are largely in a stalemate. The relentless long-range strikes impact both nations, though they could prove more devastating for the smaller Ukraine. Peace efforts led by the U.S. appear unlikely to yield immediate results, with discussions ongoing regarding low-level technical talks.
Deadly Strikes Reported Across Regions
In Pryluky, within Ukraine's northern Chernihiv region, an apartment block was destroyed, resulting in 13 deaths, including four children, and around 50 injuries. Interior Minister Ihor Vyhivskyi confirmed the toll. Fatalities were also reported in Kyiv and two other Ukrainian cities.
"The Russians wanted to strike painfully and demonstratively," Zelensky stated on social media. He emphasized Ukraine's urgent need for air defense systems, particularly for Patriot missiles.
In Kremenchuk, located in the Poltava region, two people were killed and seven injured. Vitalii Diakivnych, head of the regional military administration, indicated that rescue operations were ongoing. He described the attacks as an attempt by the enemy to instill fear, making citizens afraid to sleep or plan their lives.
The Russian Defense Ministry asserted that its forces conducted a massive strike targeting industrial facilities involved in the production and storage of missiles and drones across Ukraine. The ministry also claimed that port and ship repair facilities in Odesa and military cargo ships were struck.
Ukraine's Retaliation
Ukraine has responded by targeting Russian oil refineries and storage depots with long-range drones and missiles. Zelensky announced on Wednesday that Ukraine had struck two oil facilities and a training ground in Russia's Perm, Samara, and Astrakhan regions. Russian officials have not yet commented on these claims.
Zelensky also suggested Ukrainian strikes in the Black Sea, posting images of a burning oil tanker near the Russian city of Sochi. Independent verification of these images was not immediately possible, though some Russian media outlets late Tuesday published similar visuals. Unconfirmed reports suggested the tanker was carrying oil from Novorossiysk to India and was attacked by Ukrainian sea drones.