Azerbaijani Activist Haciyev Faces Preliminary Hearings
Ukraine Hit By Massive Russian Air Attack With At Least 12 Killed
Ukrainian officials have reported that at least 12 people have died in a large-scale Russian air attack that took place overnight on December 28-29. The attack utilized a combination of hypersonic and other missiles along with drones and targeted both military and civilian locations across the country, including the capital city of Kyiv. This is said to be the most intense bombardment within the 22-month-long Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Air defenses were mobilized during the attack, but significant casualties were reported in Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, and other major cities, with ongoing search-and-rescue efforts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that Russia used nearly every type of weapon in its arsenal and the cities hit included Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Dnipro, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhya.
Zelenskiy also stated that in addition to residential buildings and private homes being struck, a maternity ward, educational facilities, and a shopping mall were among the objects targeted.
The Russian attack reportedly consisted of hypersonic, cruise, and ballistic missiles, as well as drone strikes, with Ukraine’s Air Force later confirming that they had shot down a number of missiles or drones. Explosions were heard in several cities and debris fell from the skies in many places across Ukraine.
Multiple people were reported to have been killed and injured in the attacks, with reports of attacks on hospitals and shopping centers in several cities. The number of casualties was also reported by Ukrainian authorities to be at least 12, with the Interior Ministry and other sources estimating that number to be higher.
Furthermore, Russia accused Ukraine of firing U.S.-made air-to-surface missiles into Russian territory, and stated that it had destroyed them. However, RFE/RL was not able to independently confirm the details of the attacks alleged by either side.
Western allies including the United States have been cautious over the supply of certain kinds of weapons to Ukraine, while the European Union condemned the recent attacks and expressed solidarity with Ukraine. France accused Russia of pursuing a “strategy of terror” aimed at destroying Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.
The attacks have reignited tensions and accusations from Kyiv and Western leaders that Russia has consistently targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure throughout the conflict. U.S. President Joe Biden has labeled Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “war criminal” for his actions over Ukraine, although Russia has denied targeting civilians.
Overall, the recent devastating attacks have taken a heavy toll on Ukraine and its population, further escalating the already dire situation in the country due to the ongoing conflict.
