In a renewed and intensified wave of heavy air strikes, Russia targeted Ukraine’s two largest cities, Kyiv and Kharkiv, on Tuesday, resulting in the tragic loss of at least five civilians. The attacks, conducted through missiles and drones, wounded dozens, caused extensive damage, and disrupted power supplies, leading to urgent appeals for increased military assistance from the West.
The assaults, which have escalated during the New Year period, prompted calls for swift action as Russia continues to intensify its military operations. President Vladimir Putin’s warning of retaliation following a Ukrainian air strike on the Russian city of Belgorod further heightened tensions.
In Kyiv, a high-rise residential building bore the brunt of the attacks, resulting in an elderly woman’s death and injuries to 49 others. Emergency services later recovered another casualty from the building. In Kharkiv, a missile strike claimed the life of a 91-year-old woman, with dozens more injured. A married couple lost their lives in an attack near Kyiv.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy declared, “Russia will answer for every life taken away,” emphasizing Ukraine’s determination to respond to the escalating violence. Russia later reported one fatality and seven injuries in another attack on Belgorod.
Russia’s intensified missile and drone strikes began on December 29, culminating in its largest air assault of the war, resulting in at least 39 casualties. Ukraine’s warnings of Russia accumulating missiles for significant attacks proved accurate.
As the war approaches its second anniversary with no end in sight, Ukraine, heavily dependent on military and financial aid from allies, faces delays in over $110 billion in assistance from the United States and the European Union due to political hurdles.
Western leaders and foreign diplomats in Kyiv stress the urgency of providing more support to Ukraine. Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics urged immediate action, stating, “Ukrainian air defence works well, but Ukraine must get more help.”
While Ukraine successfully intercepted several incoming missiles in the latest attack, army chief General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi emphasized the need for additional systems and munitions to counter the ongoing threats.
The attacks caused damage to gas pipelines in Kyiv’s Pecherskyi district, leading to electricity and water outages in various parts of the capital. Kharkiv also experienced disruptions in heating and water supplies, reviving memories of last winter’s frequent power cuts resulting from air strikes on the energy grid.
Inna Lukashenko, a resident from Vyshneve, described the night under fire, highlighting the fear and uncertainty faced by the affected population.
By Reuters
