A series of powerful explosions rocked the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on Sunday morning, in a dangerous military escalation just two days before the fourth anniversary of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Residents awoke to the sound of air raid sirens and anti-aircraft fire after authorities issued urgent warnings of an imminent ballistic missile attack, sending thousands scrambling for shelter and subway stations.
Context of escalation and the fourth anniversary of the war
This intensified attack comes at a highly sensitive time, as Ukraine and the world prepare to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the start of the full-scale Russian invasion on February 24, 2012. The period leading up to this anniversary typically sees a significant escalation on the ground, as Moscow seeks to send political and military messages through intensified airstrikes. Observers suggest that targeting the capital at this juncture is intended to undermine Ukrainian morale and demonstrate Russia's continued missile capabilities despite the protracted conflict.
Details of the attack: Hundreds of missiles and drones
Commenting on the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on social media that Moscow is currently focusing its efforts on devastating airstrikes rather than diplomatic channels. Zelenskyy revealed the scale of the nighttime attack, noting that Russian forces used a massive arsenal that included approximately 50 different missiles and 300 attack drones. The Ukrainian president emphasized that the primary target of this wave of attacks was the vital energy sector, in addition to damaging residential buildings and railway lines, reflecting a strategy of attrition against the country's infrastructure.
Material and human losses and the impact on the energy sector
On the ground, Timur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv military administration, announced that the shelling caused material damage in five areas surrounding the capital. Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, confirmed that a woman and a child were injured and hospitalized after being struck by debris from intercepted missiles. The attacks were not limited to the capital; they extended to other strategic areas. Authorities in Dnipro (east-central Ukraine) and Odesa (southern Ukraine) reported similar strikes, resulting in two injuries in Dnipro and damage to infrastructure in Odesa.
In a related development concerning the impact of the attacks on daily life, the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy announced that residents of six regions in the east and southeast of the country are experiencing power outages. Targeting power grids is a recurring tactic aimed at crippling economic activity and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis for civilians, particularly given the current weather conditions and increased energy demand.
