A Russian aerial bombardment of Ukraine that started on Sunday night has continued into Tuesday, causing extensive damage to the power grid.
Russia launched over 200 missiles and drones
at Ukrainian targets on Sunday night and Monday, striking mostly energy facilities and other critical infrastructure. Many areas were left without power and water while residents nationwide sought shelter from the barrage. Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure, causing shortages ahead of winter.
In addition to cruise missiles and drones, Russia has been using hypersonic Kinzhal (“dagger”) missiles, which are difficult for Ukraine to defend against, and military officials have warned that the whole country is under threat of ballistic strikes.
At least seven people were killed in the first wave of the attack on Sunday night and Monday, with three reported killed in the latest round of strikes.
On Monday, Ukraine’s air force reported that a total of 236 missiles and drones had been detected, of which 201 were successfully intercepted. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty cited the country’s emergency services as saying that fire crews had extinguished 22 blazes nationwide on Monday in a rescue operation involving 740 personnel.
The attack, among the fiercest so far in the 30-month war, is seen as retaliation by Russia for Ukraine’s incursion into its southwestern Kursk region, the first invasion of Russian territory since World War II. Moscow vowed a stern response to the operation and now appears to be trying to regain the upper hand in the conflict.
On Monday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the Kursk operation was the reason for the aerial bombardment and said the subject of ceasefire talks had “pretty much lost its relevance.”
Zelenskyy calls for ‘decisive action’
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed his calls on the West to change its policy on the use of long-range weapons to strike targets inside Russia. Kyiv is currently permitted to use some weapons to hit Russian targets, but not long-range missiles.
Zelenskyy said on the X platform that Ukraine “could do much more to protect lives if the aviation of our European neighbors operated in concert with our F-16s and air defense systems.
“If such unity has proven effective in the Middle East, it must work in Europe too,” he added. In a video post, Zelenskyy condemned the attacks as “insidious” and called for “decisive action” from Kyiv’s allies.
“Weakness and inadequate responses fuel terror,” Zelenskyy said. “America, Britain, France, and our other partners have the power to help us stop this terror.”
Meanwhile, Russian authorities reported that Ukrainian drones had targeted the country’s southern Saratov Oblast, injuring four civilians.
The Kyiv Independent cited Russia’s defense ministry as saying nine drones had been intercepted in the region, 900 kilometers from the border with Ukraine. The ministry said three more drones were downed in the Kursk region and several others in the Belgorod, Bryansk, Tula, Orel, and Ryazan oblasts. The ministry said a total of 22 Ukrainian drones were shot down, the AP news agency reported.
In addition to cruise missiles and drones, Russia has been using hypersonic Kinzhal (“dagger”) missiles, which are difficult for Ukraine to defend against, and military officials have warned that the whole country is under threat of ballistic strikes.
At least seven people were killed in the first wave of the attack on Sunday night and Monday, with three reported killed in the latest round of strikes.
On Monday, Ukraine’s air force reported that a total of 236 missiles and drones had been detected, of which 201 were successfully intercepted. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty cited the country’s emergency services as saying that fire crews had extinguished 22 blazes nationwide on Monday in a rescue operation involving 740 personnel.
The attack, among the fiercest so far in the 30-month war, is seen as retaliation by Russia for Ukraine’s incursion into its southwestern Kursk region, the first invasion of Russian territory since World War II. Moscow vowed a stern response to the operation and now appears to be trying to regain the upper hand in the conflict.
On Monday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the Kursk operation was the reason for the aerial bombardment and said the subject of ceasefire talks had “pretty much lost its relevance.”
Zelenskyy calls for ‘decisive action’
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed his calls on the West to change its policy on the use of long-range weapons to strike targets inside Russia. Kyiv is currently permitted to use some weapons to hit Russian targets, but not long-range missiles.
Zelenskyy said on the X platform that Ukraine “could do much more to protect lives if the aviation of our European neighbors operated in concert with our F-16s and air defense systems.
“If such unity has proven effective in the Middle East, it must work in Europe too,” he added. In a video post, Zelenskyy condemned the attacks as “insidious” and called for “decisive action” from Kyiv’s allies.
“Weakness and inadequate responses fuel terror,” Zelenskyy said. “America, Britain, France, and our other partners have the power to help us stop this terror.”
U.S. President Joe Biden called the attacks “outrageous” and pledged continued support for Ukraine’s energy grid, while the U.K.’s defense secretary, David Lammy, described the bombardment as “cowardly.”Currently, across the country, efforts are underway to eliminate the consequences of the Russian strike. This was one of the largest attacks – a combined strike, involving over a hundred missiles of various types and around a hundred “Shaheds.” Like most Russian strikes before,… pic.twitter.com/0qNTGR98rR
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 26, 2024
Meanwhile, Russian authorities reported that Ukrainian drones had targeted the country’s southern Saratov Oblast, injuring four civilians.
The Kyiv Independent cited Russia’s defense ministry as saying nine drones had been intercepted in the region, 900 kilometers from the border with Ukraine. The ministry said three more drones were downed in the Kursk region and several others in the Belgorod, Bryansk, Tula, Orel, and Ryazan oblasts. The ministry said a total of 22 Ukrainian drones were shot down, the AP news agency reported.
