On Tuesday and Wednesday, Russia carried out the largest airstrikes against Ukraine this year. In Poltava, 53 people were killed and almost 300 were injured when ballistic missiles hit. Kinžal hypersonic missiles hit the center of Lviv, the mayor of the city announced at least seven dead, including three children.
Before dawn, sirens rang out in Lviv, western Ukraine, and shots hit many buildings in the center of the city. Mayor Andrij Sadovyj said that residential buildings, schools and architectural monuments on the UNESCO list were bombed or damaged.
Lviv, which lies near the border with Poland, does not face airstrikes as often as cities in eastern Ukraine. This attack is the worst since the beginning of the Russian aggression. Houses in the vicinity of the main train station and some areas of the station are on fire. Dozens of homes across the city have broken windows due to the pressure wave.
The rocket also hit a newly built residential building, completed during the war last April. People had already moved into it. According to the Minister of the Interior, Ihor Klymenko, the raid damaged more than fifty buildings. All this in places where there are no military targets. Rescuers search the rubble and search for survivors.
The strike comes just a day after two ballistic missiles hit the city of Poltava, destroying the Army Communications Institute building. According to Ukrainian media, the 53 victims include many newly mobilized soldiers, but civilians in nearby houses, including the hospital, were also killed.
“At the time of the attack, classes were in progress at the institute and the classes were full. At eight minutes past nine, the siren sounded, everyone tried to get into shelters,” said Defense Ministry spokesman Dmytro Lazutkin. Poltava is located 300 kilometers east of Kyiv and 120 kilometers south of the Russian border. Previously, the Russians shelled an air base in this city, used by the Ukrainian army.
In addition to Poltava and Lviv, Kyiv and Kryvyi Rih also faced bombing and drone attacks in the past thirty hours. The Ukrainian government reported that the enemy shelled energy infrastructure in a total of six areas.
The Russians are stepping up airstrikes as Ukrainian ground forces seize part of Russia’s Kursk region and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is appealing to allies to allow Kiev to use long-range missiles against targets in Russia. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned the West against such an agreement on Wednesday. “If long-range missiles land on Russian territory, our response will hurt,” she threatened.
Attacks on cities will probably continue. Ukrainian military intelligence confirmed on Wednesday that a Russian warship carrying Kalibr cruise missiles entered the Black Sea.
The American Institute for the Study of War writes in its new analysis that the Russian leadership and President Vladimir Putin appear to be convinced that Russia has enough strength to continue to gradually weaken Ukraine and occupy more territory, albeit slowly and with great loss of life and technology . “The Ukrainian offensive has apparently not changed Putin’s strategic thinking,” say experts.
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Table of Contents
Russia Escalates Airstrikes on Ukraine: A Grim Reality Unfolds
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Russia conducted its largest airstrikes against Ukraine this year, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The attacks have resulted in devastating losses for the Ukrainian people, particularly in the cities of Poltava and Lviv.
The Crippling Attacks on Poltava and Lviv
In Poltava, authorities reported a harrowing toll of 53 lives lost, with nearly 300 individuals injured, as ballistic missiles struck the city. This incident has raised concerns about the intensifying aggression from Russia. Lviv, usually less frequently targeted due to its location near the border with Poland, became the backdrop for a catastrophic airstrike that saw the use of Kinžal hypersonic missiles, leading to at least seven confirmed fatalities, including three children.
As dawn broke over western Ukraine, air raid sirens echoed in Lviv, signaling an imminent threat. The strikes hit multiple buildings in the city center, damaging residential properties, schools, and even UNESCO-listed architectural monuments. Mayor Andrij Sadovyj reported extensive damage to the area, with residential buildings and critical infrastructure suffering severe impacts.
Damage and Casualties in Lviv
One of the most shocking casualties of the assault was a newly built residential building, which had just been completed last April. Families had begun relocating to their new homes, unknowing of the disaster that would soon unfold. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko noted that more than fifty buildings were impacted, with the majority being civilian structures devoid of military targets. As rescuers sift through the rubble, the search for survivors continues amidst the wreckage.
The Fallout in Poltava
Just a day before the attacks on Lviv, Poltava experienced its own tragedy when two ballistic missiles struck the city, obliterating the Army Communications Institute building. Among the 53 casualties were newly mobilized soldiers and civilians from nearby homes, including the hospital. Dmytro Lazutkin, a spokesperson for the Defense Ministry, revealed that an academic session was underway when the sirens blared, and attempts were made to funnel students into shelters. This attack on Poltava is especially troubling given its strategic importance, located 300 kilometers east of Kyiv and a mere 120 kilometers from the Russian border.
Broader Implications and Continued Attacks
The aerial assaults on Poltava and Lviv are part of a broader pattern, as Kyiv and Kryvyi Rih also faced drone attacks and bombings within a 30-hour span. The Ukrainian government confirmed that the airstrikes targeted energy infrastructure spread across six different areas, placing tremendous strain on the nation’s ability to maintain utilities.
These surges in airstrikes coincide with Ukrainian ground forces advancing into Russian-controlled areas, including parts of the Kursk region. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been vocal in appealing for long-range missile capabilities from allies, which could further intensify the conflict should such agreements be reached.
Russia’s Threats and International Responses
In a stark warning to Western powers, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova cautioned that if long-range missiles were to be deployed against Russian territory, the repercussions would be severe. This rhetoric underscores the escalating tension and precarious situation faced by both nations.
Conclusion: The Human Cost of War
The recent escalation of airstrikes in Ukraine has starkly highlighted the human cost of this ongoing conflict. With cities like Poltava and Lviv bearing the brunt of such violence, the need for diplomatic solutions and humanitarian assistance has never been more urgent. As the situation continues to evolve, the world watches closely, hoping for peace amid devastation.
Call to Action
As awareness of the conflict grows, it is crucial to support humanitarian efforts aimed at alleviating the suffering of those affected. By raising awareness, contributing to relief organizations, and advocating for peace, we can all play a role in addressing this tragic situation. Stay informed and share this article to help spread knowledge about the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
