Russia has launched out a large-scale strike on Ukraine, launching more than 400 drones and 40 missiles nationwide, resulting in at least six deaths and numerous injuries, according to a Ukrainian official cited by CNN.
This attack targeted almost all Ukraine, affected nine regions the most which included Kyiv, Lviv, and Sumy. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described it as one of the largest attacks since the war began.
Ukrainian President also added that Russia targeted “almost all” of Ukraine, listing nine regions, from Lviv in the west to Sumy in the northeast.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence stated that its strikes were in response to Kyiv’s “terrorist acts.” However, it remains unclear whether this attack represents the full extent of Russia’s promised retaliation or if President Putin intends to escalate the conflict further.
According to the Ukrainian State Emergency Service, three firefighters were killed in Kyiv, two civilians died in Lutsk, and one person was killed in Chernihiv, CNN reported. Earlier on Sunday, Russia launched 472 drones and seven missiles in a single overnight assault on Ukraine.
Ukraine retaliated against Moscow’s earlier assault by launching FPV (first-person view) drone strikes on five airbases located in the Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Ryazan, and Amur regions. According to Ukraine’s Security Service, the attacks damaged or destroyed more than 40 Russian aircraft.
After which Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with his US counterpart by phone on Wednesday, stating that Moscow would be forced to respond to Kyiv’s attacks.
Kyiv residents told CNN they stand behind Ukraine’s strikes against the aircraft Moscow has used to bomb the country for over three years. “It didn’t break us at all. The morale is as high as it was. We strongly believe in our armed forces,” said Olha, a 39-year-old from the capital.
She described Russia’s so-called “retaliation” as similar to many other nights during the conflict. “Maybe (this was the retaliation), but maybe the retaliation is yet to come. Either way, it doesn’t change our attitude towards the enemy or towards our country.”
(With agency inputs)
