Russia launched another wave of pre-dawn missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and several other major Ukrainian cities on Tuesday, marking the second day of an extensive bombing campaign that has resulted in significant civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.
The latest assault targeted critical civilian infrastructure across Ukraine. Notably, a hotel in Kryvyi Rih was struck, killing four people, while two others were killed in Zaporizhzhia. The barrage, described as one of the largest since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, involved over 200 drones and missiles, including advanced weaponry such as Kinzhal ballistic missiles and Kalibr cruise missiles. Ukrainian authorities have estimated that this extensive operation cost Russia between $1.2 and $1.3 billion.
The attacks have severely damaged Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leading to widespread power outages. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strikes, labeling them as “insidious” and asserting that restoration efforts are already underway. Despite significant damage, Ukrainian air defenses managed to intercept several missiles and drones, although the scale of the assault overwhelmed some systems.
The bombardment follows Ukraine’s bold cross-border operations in Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod regions, where Ukrainian forces have made notable advances. These incursions have drawn a sharp response from the Kremlin, with Russian President Vladimir Putin promising decisive retaliation.
The conflict has created a heightened sense of fear among Ukrainian civilians, especially in cities far from the front lines, as air raid sirens and explosions become more frequent. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to bolster its defense capabilities, recently announcing the successful testing of a domestically produced ballistic missile, aiming to reduce its reliance on Western military aid.
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