Russia carried out a significant drone and missile attack on Ukraine, targeting energy infrastructure and causing civilian casualties. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that a total of 120 missiles and 90 drones were launched in the attack. Various types of drones were used, including Iranian-made Shaheds, as well as cruise, ballistic, and aircraft-launched ballistic missiles.
The attack aimed at Ukraine’s energy infrastructure resulted in damage to several objects and casualties. In Mykolaiv, two people were killed and six others were injured, including two children, due to a drone attack. Additionally, two more people lost their lives in the Odesa region, where the energy infrastructure was damaged, leading to power and water supply disruptions.
This combined drone and missile assault was the most powerful in three months, according to Serhii Popko, the head of Kyiv’s City Military Administration. The attack caused a fire in a residential building in Kyiv, injuring one person. A thermal power plant operated by private energy company DTEK also suffered serious damage.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian strikes have targeted Ukraine’s power infrastructure, resulting in emergency power shutdowns and nationwide blackouts. Ukrainian officials have been calling for increased air defenses from Western allies to counter these assaults and facilitate repairs.
Explosions were heard in various parts of Ukraine on Sunday, including Kyiv, Odesa, and the country’s west and central regions. Poland’s armed forces mobilized aircraft, including fighter jets, in response to the Russian attack on Ukraine to ensure safety in border areas.
The Russian Defense Ministry admitted to conducting a large-scale missile and drone attack on critical energy infrastructure in Ukraine, claiming that the targeted facilities were linked to Kyiv’s military industry. In retaliation, Ukrainian drones struck Russia, resulting in casualties and damages in the Kursk region and Belgorod province.
These incidents highlight the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides engaging in drone and missile attacks on each other’s territories. The situation remains volatile, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. International efforts are needed to de-escalate the conflict and ensure the safety and security of all affected populations.
