In a devastating turn of events, Ukraine experienced what has been termed as Russia’s most extensive missile bombardment of the war, resulting in at least 30 reported fatalities and over 160 injuries. The early morning strikes targeted key cities, including Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Lviv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks, stating that Russia employed nearly every type of weapon in its arsenal, causing significant damage to homes and even a maternity hospital. The assault overwhelmed Kyiv’s air defences, despite recent improvements.
Ukraine’s air force, shocked by the scale of the onslaught, reported the use of hypersonic, cruise, and ballistic missiles, including the challenging-to-intercept X-22 type. While they managed to down 114 of the 158 missiles and drones, the impact was still catastrophic. The scenes of destruction were vivid, with black smoke rising from various blast sites, including a 200-meter-long warehouse in Kyiv’s Podilskyy district and a skyscraper with blown-out glass.
The indiscriminate nature of the attacks revealed a new level of devastation, primarily caused by direct missile strikes rather than falling debris, which Ukrainians had become accustomed to fearing in recent months. Even cities previously spared the worst, such as Lviv and Konotop in Sumy Region, were not exempt. The western city of Lviv faced over 10 Iranian-made Shahed drones and 15 missiles, signalling a shift in the geographical scope of the conflict.
Kharkiv, a city accustomed to missile strikes, experienced an unprecedented 20 attacks in a single morning, resulting in three fatalities and 13 injuries. Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia also suffered casualties, with a shopping center and a maternity hospital among the targeted sites. The situation escalated to the point where a Russian missile briefly entered Polish airspace, adding a new dimension to the conflict.
The United Nations’ humanitarian envoy for Ukraine, Denise Brown, decried the attacks as leaving behind a trail of destruction, death, and human suffering. The timing of the intensified assault raised questions about Russia’s motives. Some speculate it could be retaliation for Ukraine destroying a major Russian landing ship in occupied Crimea or in response to the US delivering the last of its approved military packages worth $250 million. However, this amount pales in comparison to the $50 billion aid package currently stalled in the US Congress due to political disagreements.
US President Joe Biden labelled the renewed missile attack as a stark reminder of Putin’s unchanged objective to obliterate Ukraine and subjugate its people. As Ukraine continues to defend against widespread drone and missile attacks, the certainty of its ability to do so in the future remains uncertain.
Simultaneously, an alarming incident unfolded in Poland, a NATO member, as its armed forces chief reported that a Russian missile entered Polish airspace for almost three minutes before returning to Ukrainian airspace. The missile travelled approximately 40 km into Poland, triggering an emergency security meeting led by President Andrzej Duda. Despite Poland’s membership in NATO and the alliance’s solidarity, concerns were raised about potential Russian provocation or a test of Poland’s reaction.
This event marked the third time since Russia’s invasion and war against Ukraine that a missile entered Polish territory. In November 2022, two Polish farmers were killed by a missile fired by Ukrainian air defence forces. Another incident involved an unarmed Russian cruise missile crossing Polish territory in December, causing embarrassment for the country.
Both sides of Poland’s political spectrum seized on the latest event to score points, with the current defence minister emphasizing the immediate response of security forces and the former minister questioning the effectiveness of anti-aircraft defence systems. As Poland grapples with the fallout, the incident adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation.
As the conflict intensifies, the international community watches with growing concern, emphasizing the urgent need for a diplomatic resolution to prevent further loss of life and escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. The recent events underscore the unpredictable nature of the conflict and its potential to spill over into neighbouring countries, heightening the need for a unified and decisive international response.
