A Ukrainian family of ten, including parents and seven children, are feared dead following an "evil" Russian missile strike on their home in the Dnipro region, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced. The attack, which destroyed the residence in the town of Radushne, is being called a "horrific crime of Russia's war against Ukraine – against ordinary people, against ordinary life" by Zelensky.
Among those believed to have perished are parents Olena and Artem Voronov, and their seven children: Mark, Dominika, Zakharii, Azarii Ilai, Federica, Emilia, and Viorika. The couple's one-and-a-half-year-old grandson, whose father is a Ukrainian soldier, was also in the building at the time of the strike. Officials stated that all 10 individuals are presumed dead.
Forensic examinations are underway to identify human body fragments found under the rubble, with Zelensky noting that "almost nothing was left of the house" due to the missile's force.
Widespread Russian Barrage
The strike on the Voronov family's home was part of a larger overnight barrage by Russia, which Ukraine's air force reported included 74 missiles and 284 drones. The attack has led to a spike in civilian deaths, with three people killed in Kyiv, Poltava, and Lviv.
In the capital, Kyiv, tens of thousands of residents sought shelter in metro stations throughout the night. The western city of Lviv was also significantly affected. In Poland, a 10-meter crater was discovered in a field near the Ukrainian border, which Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated was likely caused by a Russian Kh-101 missile.
Russia's defense ministry claimed its forces targeted military-industrial complexes, military communications, and logistics centers. Zelensky had previously warned of an impending missile attack, prompting many in Kyiv to take preemptive shelter.
Rescue Efforts and Air Defense Calls
In Lviv, rescuers managed to pull a 93-year-old woman alive from the rubble of a damaged five-story building. Ukraine's air force reported intercepting 55 missiles and 265 drones, but acknowledged difficulties in intercepting advanced ballistic missiles increasingly deployed by Russia.
Zelensky reiterated his urgent requests for additional air-defense equipment from international partners. He noted the critical shortage of air-defense missiles, stating that Ukrainian forces are achieving "truly incredible things" despite the limitations.
Last month was reported as the deadliest for civilians in Ukraine since April 2022, coinciding with an escalation in Russian attacks. Zelensky had discussed anti-ballistic defense systems with U.S. President Donald Trump earlier in the week.