Ukraine faced another devastating wave of Russian attacks over the past 24 hours, leaving at least one person dead and over 100 injured, including several children. The latest assault saw Russia deploy a combination of missiles, attack drones, and decoy drones across multiple regions, causing widespread damage to civilian infrastructure. This escalation comes just hours after Moscow and Washington reportedly began ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia.
Scale of the Attacks
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russian forces launched a total of 139 drones and an Iskander-M ballistic missile in their latest offensive. Ukrainian air defenses successfully shot down 78 drones, while 34 decoys vanished from radar but did not cause damage. However, the sheer volume of the attack overwhelmed several regions, leading to significant destruction and casualties.
Heavy Damage in Sumy and Other Cities
The northeastern city of Sumy bore the brunt of the assault, suffering a barrage of missile strikes. The city council reported that 110 people, including 23 children, were injured, with many requiring hospital treatments. Among the 26 structures hit were:
- Schools
- A kindergarten
- A hospital
- 16 residential buildings
The damage was not limited to Sumy, as multiple regions across Ukraine faced Russian bombardment.
Casualties and Destruction Across Ukraine
The attacks extended beyond Sumy, with injuries and fatalities reported across different oblasts:
Dnipropetrovsk Oblast: A 36-year-old man was injured in Synelny kove, and a 40-year-old man was wounded in Nikopol, as confirmed by Governor Serhii Lysak.
Donetsk Oblast: One civilian was injured in Lyman, according to Governor Vadym Filashkin.
Kherson Oblast: This region suffered the only confirmed fatality, along with six additional injuries and damage to four houses, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin stated.
Poltava Oblast: In My rhorod district, drone debris caused a fire at an enterprise, injuring two employees. One of them required hospitalization, Governor Volodymyr Kohut reported.
Escalation Amid Ceasefire Talks
The timing of these attacks is particularly significant, as they occurred just hours after Moscow and Washington began ceasefire discussions in Saudi Arabia. While there has been no official confirmation on the progress of the talks, Russia’s intensified strikes suggest a deliberate show of force amid diplomatic efforts. Ukraine continues to call for stronger international support to counter Russian aggression and bolster its air defense capabilities.
The latest wave of Russian attacks highlights the ongoing devastation in Ukraine, with civilian casualties rising and essential infrastructure being targeted. While diplomatic discussions offer a glimmer of hope, the relentless assaults underscore the urgent need for a robust international response. As Ukraine defends its sovereignty, the world watches closely to see how the situation unfolds.
(With inputs from agencies)
