At least seven people have lost their lives in recent Russian ballistic missile strikes targeting multiple Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hometown, Kryvyi Rih.
The attacks, which extended as far west as Lviv, prompted Poland to deploy fighter jets to secure its airspace. In Kyiv, residents reported multiple explosions just after 1am local time on Thursday.
Casualties and Damage
- In Kryvyi Rih, two young girls aged 5 and 12 were among six fatalities caused by a direct hit from a Russian Iskander-M missile.
- Eight others sustained injuries in the strike that destroyed a family home, according to Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city’s defence council.
- Authorities warn the death toll may rise as rescue teams continue clearing debris.
Zelenskyy’s Warning and International Support
Just a day before the attacks, President Zelenskyy cautioned that a large-scale Russian offensive was imminent. He emphasized the critical need for allies to supply Ukraine with advanced anti-missile systems to protect civilians.
During a recent visit to the United States, Zelenskyy met with President Donald Trump, who agreed to authorize licenses for Ukraine to produce Patriot surface-to-air missiles. Despite this, Ukraine faces a shortage of PAC-3 interceptor missiles, essential for countering Russian ballistic threats.
Zelenskyy reiterated his appeal on social media, highlighting that Ukraine’s air defence capabilities remain insufficient amid escalating missile strikes.
Continued Conflict and Strategic Strikes
Alongside these missile attacks, Ukrainian forces targeted Russian infrastructure, including a drone strike on a warehouse of the major Russian online retailer Wildberries in Penza, injuring one person and causing evacuations. Kyiv accuses Wildberries of facilitating Russia’s war efforts, an allegation Russia denies.
The conflict persists with intensified long-range strikes on both sides, while diplomatic efforts to end the war remain stalled.
