Russian forces kill 12 in massive Ukraine drone and missile barrage

Russian forces launched a devastating aerial assault on Ukrainian cities overnight, unleashing a barrage of 367 drones and missiles in the largest attack of the war so far. The capital city of Kyiv was among the targets, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 people and injuring dozens more, according to officials.

Among the victims were three children in the northern region of Zhytomyr, a heartbreaking loss that highlights the indiscriminate nature of the attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the assault and called on the United States to take a stronger stance against Russia and its leader, Vladimir Putin. He criticized the silence from the international community, stating that it only serves to embolden Putin in his aggressive actions.

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko confirmed the death toll and the number of wounded, emphasizing that the attack targeted civilians. He described it as a ruthless strike aimed at instilling fear and death among the population. The assault comes at a critical juncture as Ukraine and Russia engage in a prisoner swap, with both sides exchanging a significant number of individuals.

U.S. Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg denounced the attack as a violation of international peace protocols and called for an immediate ceasefire. The use of 347 drones and missiles in the assault underscores the scale and severity of the violence unleashed by Russia.

Efforts to secure a ceasefire and negotiate an end to the conflict have faced setbacks, particularly in light of the Trump administration’s reluctance to impose further sanctions on Moscow. The Ukrainian air force reported downing a significant number of drones and missiles, but the damage to regional centers like Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Ternopil was extensive.

In Kyiv, strikes injured several individuals, while Kharkiv and Mykolaiv also suffered casualties. The mayor of Kharkiv described the devastation caused by drone strikes in residential areas, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the attacks. In Mykolaiv, a 77-year-old man was killed, and several others were injured in a residential block explosion.

The Ukrainian president’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, emphasized the need for international pressure to hold Russia accountable for its actions. He warned that without decisive action, Moscow and its allies will continue to escalate violence not only in Ukraine but also in Western countries.

As Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed to intercept or destroy Ukrainian drones, the situation remains volatile and the need for a peaceful resolution more urgent than ever. The international community must unite in condemning such acts of aggression and work towards a lasting ceasefire to prevent further loss of life and destruction.