In a significant escalation of hostilities, Russia has initiated its largest aerial assault since the war began, launching a historic 948 drones over a 24-hour period targeting various cities in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that of these, 556 drones were fired during the day, resulting in at least three deaths and multiple injuries.
The western city of Lviv suffered damage, with the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Bernardine monastery, impacted. Nearby, a maternity hospital in the Ivano-Frankivsk region was also struck. This incident follows a previous overnight Russian offensive that resulted in five fatalities, which, according to Ukrainian sources, included 392 drones and 34 missiles.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the recent airstrikes in a video address, stating that the attacks demonstrate Russia's unyielding commitment to prolong the conflict. The military operations have intensified with the day’s drone assault coming after Russia targeted multiple regions overnight.
Local officials from Lviv mentioned that 32 people were injured, while Ivano-Frankivsk reported two deaths and additional injuries, including a child. The central city of Vinnytsia saw one fatality and several injuries from the overnight strikes, showcasing the breadth of destruction caused by this unprecedented assault.
Despite the Ukrainian Air Force's efforts to intercept the drone threat, there were significant casualties and property damage across numerous cities, including a direct hit reported in the western Ternopil region, though no casualties occurred there. As the conflict rages on since February 2022, the scope of these aerial strikes reflects a concerning shift in military tactics by Russia, now focusing more on daytime attacks in western Ukraine, areas that have previously evaded the impacts of warfare more frequently seen in eastern regions.
The situation remains tense as Ukrainian officials emphasize the need for heightened vigilance and preparedness amidst these continuous assaults.
The western city of Lviv suffered damage, with the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Bernardine monastery, impacted. Nearby, a maternity hospital in the Ivano-Frankivsk region was also struck. This incident follows a previous overnight Russian offensive that resulted in five fatalities, which, according to Ukrainian sources, included 392 drones and 34 missiles.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the recent airstrikes in a video address, stating that the attacks demonstrate Russia's unyielding commitment to prolong the conflict. The military operations have intensified with the day’s drone assault coming after Russia targeted multiple regions overnight.
Local officials from Lviv mentioned that 32 people were injured, while Ivano-Frankivsk reported two deaths and additional injuries, including a child. The central city of Vinnytsia saw one fatality and several injuries from the overnight strikes, showcasing the breadth of destruction caused by this unprecedented assault.
Despite the Ukrainian Air Force's efforts to intercept the drone threat, there were significant casualties and property damage across numerous cities, including a direct hit reported in the western Ternopil region, though no casualties occurred there. As the conflict rages on since February 2022, the scope of these aerial strikes reflects a concerning shift in military tactics by Russia, now focusing more on daytime attacks in western Ukraine, areas that have previously evaded the impacts of warfare more frequently seen in eastern regions.
The situation remains tense as Ukrainian officials emphasize the need for heightened vigilance and preparedness amidst these continuous assaults.
