Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned a massive and "wicked" overnight attack by Russian forces, which saw 430 drones and 18 missiles launched against Ukrainian territory in what he described as a deliberately calculated assault.
Capital Under Sustained Assault
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, largely targeted the capital city of Kyiv. The head of the city’s military administration, Tymur Tkachenko, reported that the assault hit "almost every district" of the capital, sparking numerous fires across the metropolitan area.
Residential neighbourhoods and civilian infrastructure bore the brunt of the offensive. Photographs from the scene showed severely damaged apartment buildings and the immediate aftermath of drone explosions lighting up the Kyiv sky.
Civilian Casualties and Aftermath
The human cost of the bombardment is already significant. President Zelenskyy confirmed that at least four people were killed and "dozens" more were wounded, including children.
Civilians, including women carrying babies, were forced to seek safety in metro station shelters as the air raid sirens sounded, a now-familiar routine for residents of the capital.
Urgent Calls for International Support
In the wake of the destruction, President Zelenskyy reiterated his urgent plea to the international community. He stated that "the world must stop these attacks … with sanctions," explicitly warning that Russia continues to circumvent restrictions through oil sales and other schemes.
While acknowledging that work is underway with partners to strengthen Ukraine's air defence capabilities, the President emphasised that it is not enough. "We need reinforcement with additional systems and interceptor missiles," he said, issuing a direct call for help from the European Union and the United States.
The attack underscores the continued vulnerability of Ukrainian cities to aerial bombardment and the critical need for enhanced defensive aid from allied nations.
