Russian forces launched a massive assault on Ukraine, unleashing more than 650 drones and around three dozen missiles in an attack that commenced overnight and extended into Tuesday morning. The onslaught resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals, including a young child.
The recent coordinated strike by Moscow predominantly targeted energy installations in the western areas, according to Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. This offensive occurred shortly after a series of peace negotiations led by the United States aimed at resolving the long-standing conflict.
The attack on Tuesday claimed the lives of two individuals, including a child in the Zhytomyr region, and one person in a location near Kyiv. Additionally, at least five individuals in Kyiv were reported injured during the assault.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the Russian strike, highlighting that it involved over 30 missiles and 650 drones across more than 13 regions. He emphasized the timing of the attack, occurring just before Christmas, a period when people seek solace with their families in the comfort of their homes.
The Russian Defence Ministry stated that it targeted Ukrainian energy and military facilities, capturing two villages along the front line in Ukraine. Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, did not immediately respond to these assertions, often disputing Russian claims of territorial advances.
In response to the attack, Polish aircraft were deployed to safeguard Polish airspace, especially after Russian strikes hit areas near the Ukraine-Western border. The intensified assaults on Ukrainian infrastructure by Moscow are perceived as a tactic to increase pressure on Kyiv as negotiations for a U.S.-backed agreement continue.
Recent talks in Miami involving U.S. officials, Ukrainian and European representatives, and separate discussions with Russian envoys aimed to explore potential pathways for a settlement. Meanwhile, Russia has escalated its offensive against Ukrainian forces, demanding territorial concessions and military limitations from Ukraine as a condition for halting hostilities.
President Zelenskyy criticized Russian President Putin for continuing the violence, urging the international community to exert more significant pressure on Russia to end the conflict.