Russia launches overnight barrage of missiles and drones across Ukraine; at least 5 civilians killed
Russia launched an overnight barrage across nine regions of Ukraine, with reports saying it fired over 50 ballistic missiles and around 500 drones; Ukraine’s air force said it intercepted or jammed 154 of 183 reported strike/decoy drones. At least five civilians were killed — four in a Lviv strike (including a 15‑year‑old) and one in Zaporizhzhia — with additional wounded and injuries in Sloviansk and Shostka. The attack seriously damaged a thermal power plant, cut power to about 73,000 households around Zaporizhzhia, suspended public transport in Lviv, prompted humanitarian measures in Shostka, and drew pleas from President Zelenskyy for more air defenses as Russia warned against U.S. Tomahawk transfers while U.S. officials said they were “considering” them.
📌 Key Facts
- Reports say Russia launched a large overnight aerial assault across Ukraine, with one account citing "over 50 ballistic missiles and around 500 drones" sent into nine regions.
- Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting or jamming 154 of 183 Russian strike/decoy drones during this wave.
- At least five civilians were killed: four in a combined strike in Lviv (including a 15‑year‑old) and one in Zaporizhzhia; additional injuries were reported in Zaporizhzhia (nine wounded), Sloviansk and Shostka.
- A Russian strike seriously damaged one of Ukraine’s thermal power plants (DTEK), injuring two workers; Zaporizhzhia and surrounding areas reported about 73,000 households without power and public transport was suspended in Lviv.
- Local humanitarian measures in Shostka include outdoor tents and 11 public locations offering food, tea, phone charging and psychological support.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed for more air defenses; Vladimir Putin released a video warning about potential U.S. Tomahawk transfers; U.S. political figure J.D. Vance said the U.S. is "considering" supplying Tomahawks.
📚 Contextual Background
- Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 (commonly dated 2022-02-24).
- Since February 2022, attacks on Ukraine have repeatedly targeted the country's energy infrastructure during winter months, employing missiles and attack drones and causing widespread power outages.
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
"A critical opinion piece framing Russia’s latest mass drone‑and‑missile barrage as evidence of Ukraine’s protracted civilian catastrophe, arguing Western aid has been piecemeal and urging sustained defense, humanitarian and diplomatic commitments while warning of escalation risks."
📰 Sources (3)
- A Russian strike 'seriously damaged' one of Ukraine’s thermal power plants, per DTEK, with two workers injured.
- Local humanitarian/coping measures in Shostka: outdoor tents, 11 public locations offering food, tea, phone charging and psychological support.
- Specific drone intercept counts cited by Ukraine’s air force in this wave: 154 of 183 Russian strike/decoy drones were intercepted or jammed.
- Specific reported ordnance scale cited: 'over 50 ballistic missiles and around 500 drones' sent into nine regions.
- Regional casualty details: four people (including a 15-year-old) killed in a combined Lviv strike; one civilian killed and nine wounded in Zaporizhzhia; additional injuries in Sloviansk and Shostka.
- Infrastructure impacts: Zaporizhzhia and surrounding areas reported some 73,000 households without power and public-transport suspensions in Lviv.
- Quoted official statements added: Putin's video-clip warning about U.S. Tomahawk transfers; Zelenskyy's explicit appeal for more air defenses; mention of VP J.D. Vance saying the U.S. is 'considering' supplying Tomahawks.