Intense Russian Strikes Across Ukraine Result in Casualties
Russian aerial assaults, targeting key Ukrainian cities, lead to multiple fatalities and extensive damage.
In early morning hours on Saturday, Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones targeting various Ukrainian regions, resulting in at least five confirmed fatalities as Moscow intensified its attacks following Ukrainian strikes on military airbases.
Notably, the city of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest, and the southern city of Kherson were among those heavily affected.
Mayor of Kharkiv, Igor Terekhov, reported that 48 drones, two missiles, and four precision-guided bombs were used in the assault, describing it as unprecedented since the onset of the conflict.
He stated via Telegram, "Kharkiv is currently experiencing the most intensive assault since the beginning of the full-scale war," highlighting the simultaneous use of drones, missiles, and guided bombs targeting the city.
Terekhov also confirmed that the bombardment resulted in three deaths and 17 injuries, including two children, describing at least 40 explosions occurring within a period of one and a half hours.
The strikes caused significant damage to residential buildings, streets, and parked vehicles.
Emergency responders worked to rescue victims and survivors from the debris, with firefighters battling blazes that erupted in the aftermath.
In Kherson, local governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported that two individuals were killed in a strike on a building.
In the central Dnipro region, regional head Serhiy Lysak reported two women were injured and noted that military forces intercepted 27 drones and two missiles launched by Russia overnight.
Meanwhile, in Lutsk, near the Polish border, rescue teams discovered a second body resulting from an earlier attack on the city.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that its forces conducted strikes using drones and long-range precision weapons aimed at military targets in Ukraine during the night.
The ministry claimed, "The objective of the strikes was achieved...
we targeted all specified objectives."
Russian news agencies reported that four Ukrainian naval drones were destroyed in the Black Sea, with the Ministry of Defense claiming it intercepted 36 drones launched by Ukraine toward various regions.
Andrey Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, stated that two individuals were injured due to an attack involving Ukrainian drones, reporting the interception of nine drones in the region's airspace.
Additionally, the Ukrainian military announced that its air forces shot down a Russian Su-35 fighter jet the previous morning, confirming that a successful operation led to the aircraft's destruction near Kursk.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 206 drones and 9 missiles, indicating that its air defense, electronic warfare, and drone systems effectively repelled the aerial assault.
In related developments, the Russian Ministry of Defense alleged that Ukraine is delaying the scheduling of a new prisoner exchange.
In a statement from Lieutenant General Alexander Zourin, it was claimed, "The Russian side has provided the Ukrainian side with a list of 640 names, but the Ukrainian side is currently refraining from setting a date for the return of these individuals and the transfer of an equivalent number of Russian prisoners of war." Kremlin advisor Vladimir Medinsky asserted that Ukraine unexpectedly postponed the prisoner exchange and the receipt of the remains of fallen soldiers indefinitely.
In response, Kyiv denied the Russian accusations, with the Ukrainian body coordinating the treatment of prisoners of war stating, "There was no specific date set for the return of the bodies, and Russia is not adhering to agreed-upon standards for exchanging prisoners of war," accusing Moscow of engaging in what it termed "dirty games."
In related geopolitical commentary, former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Ukraine for allegedly providing Russian President Vladimir Putin with a pretext to continue heavy bombardments.
Trump expressed concerns over recent developments, stating that the violence escalated overnight and emphasized the need for ongoing negotiations regarding resolution of the Ukrainian conflict, warning of the potential escalation to a nuclear war.
Notably, the city of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest, and the southern city of Kherson were among those heavily affected.
Mayor of Kharkiv, Igor Terekhov, reported that 48 drones, two missiles, and four precision-guided bombs were used in the assault, describing it as unprecedented since the onset of the conflict.
He stated via Telegram, "Kharkiv is currently experiencing the most intensive assault since the beginning of the full-scale war," highlighting the simultaneous use of drones, missiles, and guided bombs targeting the city.
Terekhov also confirmed that the bombardment resulted in three deaths and 17 injuries, including two children, describing at least 40 explosions occurring within a period of one and a half hours.
The strikes caused significant damage to residential buildings, streets, and parked vehicles.
Emergency responders worked to rescue victims and survivors from the debris, with firefighters battling blazes that erupted in the aftermath.
In Kherson, local governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported that two individuals were killed in a strike on a building.
In the central Dnipro region, regional head Serhiy Lysak reported two women were injured and noted that military forces intercepted 27 drones and two missiles launched by Russia overnight.
Meanwhile, in Lutsk, near the Polish border, rescue teams discovered a second body resulting from an earlier attack on the city.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that its forces conducted strikes using drones and long-range precision weapons aimed at military targets in Ukraine during the night.
The ministry claimed, "The objective of the strikes was achieved...
we targeted all specified objectives."
Russian news agencies reported that four Ukrainian naval drones were destroyed in the Black Sea, with the Ministry of Defense claiming it intercepted 36 drones launched by Ukraine toward various regions.
Andrey Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, stated that two individuals were injured due to an attack involving Ukrainian drones, reporting the interception of nine drones in the region's airspace.
Additionally, the Ukrainian military announced that its air forces shot down a Russian Su-35 fighter jet the previous morning, confirming that a successful operation led to the aircraft's destruction near Kursk.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 206 drones and 9 missiles, indicating that its air defense, electronic warfare, and drone systems effectively repelled the aerial assault.
In related developments, the Russian Ministry of Defense alleged that Ukraine is delaying the scheduling of a new prisoner exchange.
In a statement from Lieutenant General Alexander Zourin, it was claimed, "The Russian side has provided the Ukrainian side with a list of 640 names, but the Ukrainian side is currently refraining from setting a date for the return of these individuals and the transfer of an equivalent number of Russian prisoners of war." Kremlin advisor Vladimir Medinsky asserted that Ukraine unexpectedly postponed the prisoner exchange and the receipt of the remains of fallen soldiers indefinitely.
In response, Kyiv denied the Russian accusations, with the Ukrainian body coordinating the treatment of prisoners of war stating, "There was no specific date set for the return of the bodies, and Russia is not adhering to agreed-upon standards for exchanging prisoners of war," accusing Moscow of engaging in what it termed "dirty games."
In related geopolitical commentary, former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Ukraine for allegedly providing Russian President Vladimir Putin with a pretext to continue heavy bombardments.
Trump expressed concerns over recent developments, stating that the violence escalated overnight and emphasized the need for ongoing negotiations regarding resolution of the Ukrainian conflict, warning of the potential escalation to a nuclear war.