Today, Russia launched the latest in a series of catastrophic missile salvos against Ukraine, destroying vital infrastructure and burying victims beneath the ruins.
Explosions were reported in the capital Kyiv, the second largest city Kharkiv, and the country’s geographic center, Kryvyi Rih, where an apartment complex was hit and people were thought trapped inside.
Initial reports said that two individuals were killed and eight others were injured, including a three-year-old kid and a seven-year-old female. Multiple individuals, including a young kid, may be buried within the structure.
Russia has been committing war crimes against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure for weeks after failing to achieve victory on the battlefield. The objective is to weaken Ukrainians’ desire to continue the conflict and trigger a new refugee catastrophe.
Smoke rises from the debris of a house in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, after it was struck by a Russian missile early on Friday morning, during the continuation of Russia’s massive bombing of the country.
After Russia fired missiles at practically every major city in Ukraine, the remains of a hotel in the city of Kherson can be seen in this photograph.
A woman is rescued from the rubble of a building in the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, which was hit by a Russian missile.
Energy and internet outages were also reported in the west-central Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia, the central Ukrainian city of Poltava, the port city of Odessa, and the northern Ukrainian province of Sumy.
According to Ukrainian lawmaker Andrii Osadchuk, approximately 70 missiles were fired on Friday.
Illia Ponomarenko, a defence reporter for the Kyiv Independent, said that 37 of these missiles were shot down, of which 40 were apparently directed for Kyiv.
Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesman for the Ukrainian air forces, stated that Russian nuclear-capable TU-95 bombers fired Kh-101 and Kh-555 cruise missiles at Ukrainian cities from above Russian territory.
In the Black Sea, warships and submarines also fired Kalibre missiles, while Tu-22 bombers and Su-35 planes fired Kh-59 cruise missiles.
According to him, S-300 rockets, which are often used for air defense but can also attack ground targets, also participated in the attack.
They intend to ruin us and enslave us. However, we will not capitulate. We will endure,’ declared 53-year-old Lidiya Vasilieva as she sought refuge in a Kyiv train station.
I want the battle to end quickly. However, I am willing to wait as long as necessary,’ she remarked.
Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of the president’s office, reported that a residential structure had been struck in the center city of Kryvyi Rih and that there may be persons buried beneath the rubble.
There were no initial reports of injuries, and it was unclear whose vital infrastructure had been affected.
“Remain in shelters and do not disregard air raid alerts,” Tymoshenko warned on the Telegram messaging app.
The street in front of the wreckage of a former hotel in the Ukrainian city of Kherson, which was destroyed by Russian missiles, is littered with rubble.
A Russian missile is believed to have struck an apartment building in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, killing at least two persons.
Today, Russia fired another salvo of missiles at Ukraine, targeting practically every major city and its critical infrastructure (pictured, people shelter in Kyiv)
Officials in the Zaporizhzhia region of southeastern Ukraine cautioned people to anticipate additional power outages as engineers attempt to repair damage caused by Russian attacks.
Regional governor of Zaporizhzhya Oleksandr Starukh posted on Telegram, “We are aware of 15 impacts by Russian missiles in the region.” ‘We advise residents to be prepared for any temporary restrictions during infrastructure repair’
Energy provider DTEK stated that it has already implemented power outages in Kyiv to allow for repairs.
Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February, has been attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure since October, resulting in widespread power disruptions at the beginning of winter.
Moscow asserts that the attacks on fundamental infrastructure are militarily justifiable. Ukraine asserts that assaults designed to cause human suffering constitute war crimes.
Since October, Kiev has been asking with its Western friends to deliver improved air defence systems to assist it repel the strikes, which have been occurring nearly weekly.
It is believed that Joe Biden is close to approving the shipment of Patriot missile defenses to Ukraine, in addition to the NASAMS and Iris-T systems previously sent.
Patriots are among the most effective missile defense batteries now in use, although they are difficult to operate and require a staff of about a dozen highly-trained individuals.
People seek refuge at a Kyiv, Ukraine metro station after significant Russian missile assaults.
During a rocket attack in Kiev, people take refuge in a subway station repurposed as a bomb shelter.
During a rocket attack in Kiev, people take refuge in a subway station repurposed as a bomb shelter.
America likewise has a limited number of them. Only one Patriot battalion is currently stationed in Europe, and it is responsible for guarding Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
Even if they are able to provide the weapon systems themselves, other Western allies do not have substantial stocks of ammo for these systems.
But if Ukraine cannot find a method to defend its citizens and critical infrastructure, Putin may be able to bomb the country into submission.
Moscow appears to believe that destroying the will of Ukrainians to fight or the West to maintain its backing is the quickest way to obtain a favorable peace agreement.
Experts believe that Moscow will utilize any agreement to suspend the war long enough to re-arm, reinforce, and resume the offensive.
A police officer inspects a piece of a Russian cruise missile that was shot down above the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Friday, amid ongoing attacks on the country’s infrastructure.
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