Russia intensifies airstrikes in Ukraine, officials report
Multiple Ukrainian officials report a devastating wave of Russian airstrikes overnight, with drones and various missiles wreaking havoc across Ukraine The bombers fill the skies, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake
Multiple Ukrainian officials have reported a series of deadly Russian airstrikes across Ukraine overnight into Friday, with drones and various missiles targeting the country. These attacks follow Ukraine's striking of a Russian Navy tank in Crimea on Tuesday, dealing a significant blow to Moscow's Black Sea fleet.
It has been almost two years since Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated an unjustified invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is now grappling with a mostly stalled counteroffensive, and the fate of Western military aid hangs in the balance.
On Friday, there were widespread attacks reported throughout the country, including explosions in the capital city Kyiv, the northeastern region of Sumy, the eastern cities of Kharkiv and Dnipro, and the western province of Lviv.
Early on Friday, the extent of the damage inflicted and the number of casualties remained unknown.
According to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the attacks were described as a "massive Russian airstrike on Ukraine" which specifically targeted social and critical infrastructure.
"We extend our condolences to the families and friends of the injured and deceased," stated Shmyhal in a post on Telegram on Friday.
"The Ukrainian air defense forces have once again displayed a high level of professionalism, successfully shooting down most of the air targets. We are grateful to the soldiers for their efforts in saving lives."
Ukraine's Ministry of Health has also documented numerous injuries throughout the country in the wake of the attacks.
Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, has appealed for support as his country faces Russian airstrikes.
Firefighters respond after a building was damaged following a Russian attack in Kyiv on December 29, 2023.
Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP
"A massive terrorist attack, rockets are flying at our cities again, and civilians are being targeted," Yermak said in a Telegram post on Friday.
Bombers in the air
Ukraine is in need of support. We are committed to strengthening our air shield in order to become even stronger. However, it is crucial for the world to recognize that we require additional support and strength to combat this terror.
The Ukrainian Air Force has reported that "nine Tu-95MS strategic bombers have taken off from the Olenya airfield in Russia's Murmansk region."
The Tu-95 bomber is a key component of Russia's aerial assaults on Ukraine, capable of deploying cruise missiles against its neighboring country from a distance that most air defense systems cannot reach.
Residents in Kyiv were advised to seek shelter after authorities detected a "UAV threat" in the area, referring to drones. Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko reported that at least seven people had been hospitalized due to the attacks. Trains were stopped and a building was damaged at Lukianivska subway station in central Kyiv, which has also been serving as a shelter, according to Klitschko.
Several people were injured and authorities are currently searching for more victims following a fire at a warehouse in the Podilskyi district of the capital region, as reported by Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv's military administration in a Telegram post.
Meanwhile, in the city of Kharkiv, located less than 25 miles (40 kilometers) from the country's northeastern border with Russia, at least six explosions were heard. Mayor Ihor Terekhov described the city as being "under massive rocket fire" in an early Friday update.
At least one person has been reported killed and eight others injured, as stated by Oleh Syniehubov, the head of the Kharkiv region military administration. Syniehubov also reported that the rocket attacks caused damage to a medical facility, warehouses, and other civilian infrastructure in a Telegram update.
On Thursday evening local time, numerous explosions were reported in Sumy, following Russian shelling of the border territories and settlements, according to the area's administration.
Early Friday, Maksym Kozytskyi, head of the Lviv regional military administration, reported that explosions were recorded in Lviv as air defenses intercepted Russian drones. Lviv borders Poland.
Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi reported on Telegram Friday that a residential building was struck and caught fire. The widespread strikes on Friday followed the launch of 53 attacks by Russia across eastern Ukraine on Thursday, according to a post from the Ukrainian General Staff on Telegram.
Russia launched dozens of airstrikes, wounding civilians and destroying civilian infrastructure, the post said.
