A Night of Chaos: Russia Launches Massive Attack on Ukraine, Reports of Over 400 Projectiles Used against Kyiv Alone
Intensified shelling in Ukraine: Over 400 explosions observed in a single night; possible escalation of counter-attacks?
Take a seat, buckle up. Russia hasn't held back, unleashing a torrent of drones and missiles against Ukraine late last night, according to multiple news outlets. The capital Kyiv and several other major cities in the west of the country were hit hard, leaving at least four people dead and 20 others injured.
Vitali Klitschko, Kyiv's mayor, confirmed the deaths and injuries, while air raid alerts rang out across all regions of Ukraine. The Ukrainian air force warned that Russian bombers had taken to the skies and were likely to have launched cruise missiles. Explosions were heard in multiple cities, though the information hasn't been independently verified.
According to the air force's morning report, Russia fired 407 combat drones, 6 ballistic missiles, and 39 cruise missiles during the attack. Ukrainian forces managed to shoot down 235 projectiles, and another 171 were likely taken down by electronic air defense.
Fires broke out in residential buildings in Kyiv, and other civilian infrastructure was damaged. Explosions and debris were reported in various districts. Attacks also targeted the western Ukrainian city of Lutsk and the region of Ternopil. Firefighters and emergency services were in full swing, tackling blazes and assessing damage, with five people injured in the Lutsk attack.
As for the motive behind this all-out assault, it's still unclear whether this is the large-scale response Russia has been rumored to be planning following the Ukrainian strike on their bomber fleet last weekend. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the intelligence service's attack on the Russian military airfields, which had frequently launched attacks on Ukraine, as "an absolutely brilliant success."
Satellite images released by US authorities suggest that the Russian military did indeed suffer heavy losses, with several bombers destroyed or damaged. However, Russia has only confirmed a few damaged aircraft at bases in Murmansk and Irkutsk and has described the attacks as a terrorist act. Time will tell, but one thing is clear: tensions between Russia and Ukraine are reaching a boiling point.
Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available.
Politics: Russia Suffers Heavy LossesAn Embarrassing Setback for the KremlinRussia is facing a significant setback following its attacks on Ukraine. According to intelligence reports, more than 40 Russian bombers have been destroyed, and over $7 billion worth of military equipment has been damaged. The attacks, which were carried out by Ukraine's intelligence service, were a huge blow to Russia's strategic bomber fleet, taking out a third of its capability to launch cruise missiles.
Trump Speaks OutDonald Trump, the US President, was quick to comment on the attacks, stating that Putin had "clearly stated" his intention to take action in response to the Ukrainian attacks. Later, Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov also hinted at retaliation, saying that Russia's response would come at a time and with means that "our military deems necessary."
KievAttack on UkraineRussia
Community policy should be enacted to address the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, as the economic and monetary union of Europe may be impacted by potential sanctions or conflicts. In the midst of the war-and-conflicts in Eastern Europe, general-news outlets are closely following the politics surrounding the attacks on Ukraine by Russia, particularly the recent strike on Kiev. The destruction of over 40 Russian bombers and the damage to billions of dollars worth of military equipment mark an embarrassing setback for the Kremlin and could have far-reaching implications for the economic and monetary union.
