Russia's missile barrage ravages Ukrainian cities

Russia unleashed a barrage of missiles on Ukraine, targeting its two major cities, Kyiv and Kharkiv, resulting in the loss of four lives and leaving dozens injured.

The strikes, coming less than 24 hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ominous declaration of intensified attacks, plunged 250,000 consumers in the capital region into darkness amid near-freezing temperatures.

Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko reported the tragic death of an elderly woman in the Solomyansky district, with 27 others wounded and hospitalized.

Ukraine’s Interior Minister Igor Klymenko confirmed two casualties in the Kyiv region. Simultaneously, Ukrenergo revealed the grim reality of a quarter-million consumers without electricity in Kyiv and its surroundings.

Kharkiv, in the northeast, bore the brunt of the assault, with over 40 people wounded and multi-storey buildings damaged.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the attacks as “Russian terror,” while Kyiv authorities reported fires in a supermarket, houses, and a market.

The Ukrainian air force identified the use of Kinzhal missiles by Russia. In response to the escalating conflict, Poland scrambled four F-16 fighter jets to its border with Ukraine, demonstrating a growing concern as the Russian invasion approaches its second anniversary.

The recent attacks follow an intensification of the conflict, with Putin labeling an unprecedented Ukrainian attack on the Russian city of Belgorod as a “terrorist act” and promising retaliation. Moscow had previously launched a barrage of drones on New Year’s Eve.

As Ukrainians grapple with the aftermath of these attacks, the nation seeks reassurance from its allies regarding the continuation of military aid.

The urgency of the situation prompted US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink to emphasize the critical need for international support, describing Putin’s missile strikes as a grim way to welcome 2024.

Kyiv Mayor Klitschko reported multiple explosions and downed missiles hitting the capital, advising residents to seek shelter in underground facilities.

The Pechersk district witnessed debris hitting buildings, causing fires in a supermarket and a warehouse. The city’s military administration pledged to restore electricity once the security situation allows.

With main water pipes damaged in the Podil district and a stalled budget for support in Washington, Ukraine faces challenging times.

The recent missile barrage adds to the toll of the December 29 strikes that claimed 39 lives and the New Year’s Eve drone attacks, emphasizing the urgent need for international solidarity in supporting Ukraine against Russia’s aggression.