A fresh wave of Russian attacks has struck Ukraine, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake. In the western city of Lviv, seven people, including a mother and her three daughters, were killed in a drone and hypersonic missile strike. A baby and another girl were also among the victims, officials said.
Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovy confirmed that Russia had attacked the city with drones and hypersonic missiles early on Wednesday, damaging over 50 buildings in the historic heart of the city, including homes, schools, and clinics.
The attack came as Ukraine was still reeling from Russia’s deadliest single bombardment this year, which struck a military institute in the central city of Poltava, killing 53 people. Explosions were also heard over the capital Kyiv as air defenses targeted Russian missiles.
In Lviv, witnesses reported that the city was targeted at around 05:40 (02:40 GMT). Russia’s defense ministry claimed that it had fired Kinzhal hypersonic weapons at Ukrainian defense industry facilities in Lviv, but Mr. Sadovy said that the attack had caused widespread damage to civilian infrastructure.
The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia had fired 13 missiles and 29 attack drones, with seven cruise missiles and 22 drones shot down. Residential buildings were damaged in the attack, and some buildings were struck near the railway station.
President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his calls for Ukraine’s Western allies to provide long-range weapons to be fired further into Russia. He also promised that those responsible for the attack would be held accountable.
In Poltava, rescue workers continued to search for survivors of the attack on the military communications institute. Mykyta Petrov, a 26-year-old cadet, described the scene as “too much blood, too many dead bodies.”
The attack has sparked widespread outrage, with officials condemning Russia’s actions as “cunning and cynical.” Ukraine is observing three days of mourning, and the people of Poltava have come together to support each other in the aftermath of the tragedy.
