- Russia bombarded cities across Ukraine with missiles and drones in an overnight onslaught that began after nightfall on Wednesday and continued into daylight hours on Thursday.
- Explosions echoed around Kyiv through Thursday morning as the attack continued into daylight.
- Russian drones hit three major distribution centers, destroying depots belonging to a toy store chain and a confectionery company, and damaging another run by an electronics retailer.
- Four glide bombs destroyed generating equipment at Kherson's combined heat and power plant, forcing it to shut down.
- The barrage killed a 78-year-old woman in Zaporizhzhia and another person in Kharkiv, with at least 14 wounded elsewhere.
- Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated that Russia continues to invest in missiles and expanding its war, calling for more countermeasures and additional ballistic missile defense packages.
- Ukraine's air force reported that it shot down or suppressed seven Russian ballistic missiles.
- Moldova reported that five drones breached its airspace overnight, but it didn’t specify who fired them.
- Ukraine's General Staff stated that plane-launched missiles hit Russia's command posts near Donetsk.
- Russian air defenses shot down 267 Ukrainian drones over 14 regions and the Black Sea.
Russia's overnight bombardment targeted nine Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, resulting in civilian casualties and extensive damage. The strikes, described as 'massive' by the Russian Defense Ministry, began after nightfall on Wednesday and continued into Thursday morning.12
The attacks led to the death of a 78-year-old woman in Zaporizhzhia and another fatality in Kharkiv, with at least 14 others injured across the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for enhanced air defense systems, stating, “Russia continues to invest in missiles and in expanding its war, and that means more countermeasures are needed.” He highlighted recent commitments from European nations to bolster Ukraine's air defense capabilities.
The strikes inflicted damage on civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings, schools, and medical facilities in Kyiv, where four districts were hit. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the capital. The barrage also targeted industrial facilities and energy infrastructure in regions like Poltava and Odesa, with significant damage reported to a 16-story residential building and educational facilities in Odesa.5
Ukrainian air defenses managed to intercept or suppress seven Russian ballistic missiles, although details on the interception methods were not disclosed. The attacks disrupted transportation, causing delays of over 17 hours for some trains, according to the Ukrainian state rail company Ukrzaliznysia.
The ongoing conflict continues to escalate, with Ukrainian forces under pressure from Russian advances in the eastern city of Donetsk, where missile strikes targeted command posts.
“The attack killed a 78-year-old woman in Zaporizhzhia and another in Kharkiv, with at least 14 wounded. Russian drones destroyed depots of a toy store chain and a confectionery company, while four glide bombs shut down Kherson's heat and power plant.”
The Globe and Mail
