Ukraine: Russia Unleashes Largest Aerial Barrage of the War

Russia launched a devastating attack on Ukraine, unleashing 122 missiles and numerous drones that resulted in the deaths of at least 30 civilians, according to Ukrainian officials. The onslaught, which lasted approximately 18 hours, left 144 people injured and caused widespread destruction across the country. Buildings such as a maternity hospital, apartment blocks, and schools were among the reported targets.

In the capital city of Kyiv, the aftermath of the attack was evident with broken glass and mangled metal strewn across the streets. The sound of air raid and emergency service sirens filled the air as plumes of smoke rose into the bright blue sky. One resident, 72-year-old Kateryna Ivanivna, described how she threw herself to the ground when a missile struck, seeking safety in a nearby subway station.

Meanwhile, in Poland, authorities reported that a Russian missile had entered their airspace from Ukraine’s direction before disappearing from radars. Ukrainian military chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi stated that the country’s air force managed to intercept most of the ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as the Shahed-type drones during the overnight attack.

Western officials and analysts had previously warned that Russia was potentially stockpiling its cruise missiles for a massive strike during the winter, aiming to break the spirit of the Ukrainians. This recent attack, described as the largest aerial barrage since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, surpassed previous records. Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk referred to it as “the most massive aerial attack” to date.

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been heavily impacted by winter weather, resulting in a stalemate along the front line. Ukrainian officials have called on their Western allies to provide them with more air defenses, as war fatigue and waning support pose challenges to their efforts.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the attack and urged the world to take further action in support of Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also emphasized the scale of the attack, hoping that it would awaken global attention to their ongoing needs.

The bombardment in Kyiv damaged a subway station near a factory belonging to the Artem company, which produces components for military-grade missiles. Reports of deaths and damage came in from multiple cities across Ukraine. In Boyarka, debris from a shot-down drone caused a fire in a home, while in Dnipro, a maternity hospital caught fire, resulting in the rescue of four patients, five deaths, and 20 injuries. Odesa and Lviv also experienced casualties and damage due to falling drone wreckage. Kharkiv, in northeastern Ukraine, endured multiple waves of aerial attacks, resulting in one death and several injuries.

The devastating attack serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict and the urgent need for international support to protect the lives and well-being of Ukrainian civilians.