With the most drones and missiles ever launched in one night, Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukraine.
Officials reported that many were hurt and at least 14 people, including three children, were murdered.
The incident occurred one day after one of the most intense attacks of the war occurred in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.
Requests for a ceasefire have been ignored by Russia.
“This cruelty cannot be stopped without really strong pressure on the Russian leadership,” the president of Ukraine stated.
“America’s silence will only encourage Putin” is what Volodymyr Zelensky said, seemingly to put pressure on President Donald Trump, who has stated that the Russian leader is interested in bringing the war to an end.
Approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory is currently in Moscow’s hands after Putin launched a full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022.
This includes Crimea, the southern Ukrainian peninsula that Russia annexed in 2014.
Following the “massive” strike, rescuers were operating in over 30 cities and towns, Zelensky said in a statement early on Sunday.
“Russia is dragging out this war and continues to kill every day,” he stated.
“In spite of weekends and weekdays, the fight goes on, even though the world may stop for a weekend. This cannot be disregarded.
Not only can Russia produce them more quickly, but they are also developing. In order to avoid discovery, shady drones are now being equipped with more explosives and better electronics.
Since 20:40 on Saturday local time (17:40 GMT), Russia has launched attacks employing 367 different types of missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and drones, according to Ukraine’s Air Force.
The air force reported that it had destroyed 266 UAVs and shot down 45 cruise missiles, affecting the majority of Ukraine and recording hits in 22 different sites. Several areas reported fatalities.
Russia’s defense ministry reports that it has caused damage to 142 sites, including electric warfare stations, military airfields, and ammunition storage facilities.
Ukraine’s interior minister, Ihor Klymenko, reported that 13 regions were hit, causing 27 fires, 80 damaged residential premises, and more than 70 casualties.
The phrase “Combined, ruthless strike aimed at civilians” fit his description.
Three of the 12 people killed in the Zhytomyr region were minors, ages eight, twelve, and seventeen, according to Ukraine’s official emergency agency, DSNS.
Klymenko claimed that they shared a family and that their parents were in the hospital. Two women, ages 85 and 56, were killed when a house in Kupiansk was struck, according to Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv regional office.
Source: Al Jazeera and DW News
