Deaths and missing persons: an unprecedented Russian escalation in Ukraine
Deaths and missing persons were reported in Ukraine following intense Russian bombardment over two days, described as the “largest” since the war began in February 2022.
Ukrainian officials said on Thursday that Russia had launched the largest two-day aerial attack on Ukraine since the start of the conflict, striking the capital Kyiv and other cities across various regions of the country with hundreds of drones.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia had carried out an attack using more than 1,567 drones since Wednesday.
Zelenskyy added that Moscow launched more than 670 drones and 56 missiles against Ukraine on Wednesday evening.
The air force reported that air defense units shot down 41 missiles and 652 drones overnight.
Zelenskyy said: “These are certainly not the actions of those who believe the war is nearing its end.”
He added: “It is important that partners do not remain silent about this attack. It is equally important to continue supporting the protection of our skies.”
Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv was the primary target of the overnight airstrikes. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service announced that at least 21 people, including two children, were killed in the capital, and Mayor Vitali Klitschko declared a day of mourning on Friday.
No immediate comment was issued by Moscow regarding Thursday’s attacks.
No comment has yet been issued by Moscow regarding the day’s attacks.
Zelenskyy said that around 20 people were still missing as rescue teams continued clearing the rubble.
He added that 180 facilities had been damaged across Ukraine, including more than 50 residential buildings.
Oleh Syniehubov, governor of the Kharkiv region, said that 28 people, including three children, were injured in Ukraine’s second-largest city, where civilian infrastructure was targeted.
The Ministry of Energy reported power outages in 11 regions of the country as a result of the Russian attacks. Officials said the strikes targeted port infrastructure in the southern Odesa region and railway lines.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that the attack, which occurred during U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to China, demonstrated Russia’s determination to continue fighting despite U.S. peace efforts, and that it was necessary to pressure Moscow to end the war.
He wrote on X: “I am convinced that the leaders of the United States and China have enough leverage over Moscow to urge Putin to end the war once and for all.”
UK Defence Secretary John Healey said in a social media post that he had instructed officials to send aid to Ukraine “as quickly as possible.”
The Russian attack came two days after the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the resumption of its military operation in Ukraine following the end of the “Victory Day” truce declared by President Vladimir Putin for four days starting May 8.
For his part, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, expressed “deep concern” on Thursday over the “intensification” of military activities near several Ukrainian nuclear sites, noting that this posed “significant risks.”
In a statement, the Agency said that over the past 24 hours, its teams had been informed of “a significant increase in activity (…) with more than 160 drones observed in the vicinity of nuclear sites.”
The statement added: “Although IAEA teams have not reported any direct impact on nuclear safety, Director General Rafael Grossi expressed deep concern over these military activities,” noting that they “have intensified in recent days, posing significant risks to nuclear safety and security.”
In the same statement, Grossi called on “all parties to exercise the utmost restraint.”
