Russia’s Devastating Missile and Drone Assault on Ukraine’s Cities

POLICY WIRE — Kyiv, Ukraine — A deadly Russian missile and drone attack struck various Ukrainian cities overnight, extending into Thursday morning. The assault resulted in one fatality and four injuries in Sumy, according to regional authorities.

The barrage, which included missiles and drones, targeted cities across Ukraine, with Kyiv experiencing explosions throughout the morning. Smoke was seen rising above warehouse stores and the city center following the attacks.

Ukraine faces a critical shortage of U.S.-made Patriot air defense missiles, which are essential for countering Russia’s ballistic missiles. The Russian military’s use of fast-flying, jet-powered drones has added another layer of challenge since the full-scale invasion began over four years ago.

Ukrainian officials report that Russia accumulates missile supplies and launches significant attacks every few days, aiming to overwhelm Ukrainian defenses. In retaliation, Ukraine has targeted high-profile sites within Russia, leading to mutual destruction.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed responsibility for a “massive” strike on nine Ukrainian cities, targeting military-related facilities such as industrial sites, oil refineries, logistics hubs, and port infrastructure. However, civilian areas, including residential buildings, were also damaged.

The attack resulted in the death of a 78-year-old woman in the Zaporizhzhia region and another individual in the Kharkiv region, with at least 14 others wounded across the country.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for additional countermeasures, including ballistic missile defense packages, following promises of increased air defense assistance from European countries.

Despite the Russian Defense Ministry’s assertion that only military targets were attacked, the assault appears to target Ukrainian businesses and the economy, mirroring Ukraine’s drone strikes on Russian enterprises.

Russian drones hit three major distribution centers, destroying depots of a toy store chain and a confectionery company, and damaging an electronics retailer’s facility.

Additionally, Moscow targeted Ukraine’s power grid, with four glide bombs destroying equipment at the Kherson region’s combined heat and power plant, forcing a shutdown.

Zelenskyy was scheduled to visit Moldova to commemorate its independence day, amid concerns in Eastern Europe that the invasion of Ukraine could lead to a broader conflict.

Moldova’s Ministry of Defense reported that five drones breached its airspace overnight, though the origin of the drones was not specified.

Ukraine’s air force claimed to have shot down or suppressed seven Russian ballistic missiles, though the method was not disclosed.

Four districts of Kyiv were hit, damaging residential buildings, a school, and a medical facility, with no reported casualties. The Poltava and Odesa regions also suffered significant attacks, affecting industrial facilities, energy infrastructure, and residential buildings.

The attack on Odesa, a crucial port for Ukraine’s grain exports, caused delays of over 17 hours for some trains.

Ukraine has retaliated with hundreds of long-range drones targeting Russian sites, including command posts near Donetsk.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported shooting down 267 Ukrainian drones over 14 Russian regions, Crimea, the Sea of Azov, and the Black Sea.

Ukrainian drones have targeted major Russian e-commerce companies, including Ozon, following attacks on Wildberries’ warehouses.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)