A wave of Russian missiles struck Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, resulting in the death of seven people and causing dozens of injuries. The attacks set ablaze and toppled apartment blocks, creating new panic among the already exhausted residents. In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second city near Russia’s border, rescue workers pulled survivors from smoldering rubble. The regional governor reported six Kharkiv residents killed and 51 wounded in the overnight barrage.
Ukraine’s army chief, Valery Zaluzhny, stated that Russian forces fired 41 missiles, with Ukrainian forces downing 21 of them. In Kyiv, air raid sirens echoed over the capital, followed by a series of loud blasts as defense systems targeted the aerial onslaught. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported 20 people wounded in the attack on Kyiv, which set buildings and cars ablaze in central districts.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky described the attack as “deliberate terror,” while Prime Minister Denys Shymgal called for making Russia pay for the suffering it caused. The US ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, emphasized the need for continued support to protect Ukraine against such attacks.
France’s foreign ministry condemned the missile strikes, labeling them war crimes and holding Russia responsible for the escalation. The Kremlin denied targeting civilian infrastructure, stating that Russian forces do not hit civilians, in contrast to the Kyiv regime. Russia claimed to have launched long-range strikes on weapons production facilities in Ukraine, stating that all designated facilities had been hit.
The missile barrage intensified the ongoing conflict that began when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Ukrainian forces initially pushed back Russian troops attempting to seize control of Kharkiv, but the city has been routinely shelled since then. The toll from the missile strikes adds to the already high number of casualties among military personnel and civilians during the conflict, with tens of thousands of lives lost.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba highlighted the country’s priority for 2024: gaining control over its airspace. Kyiv has urged its allies to help bolster its air defense capabilities in response to the increasing attacks. The international community, including the US and France, condemned the missile strikes, underscoring the urgency of finding a resolution to the conflict and preventing further civilian casualties.
