Russian forces opened an unprecedented air attack on Ukraine during the night. They explicitly identified military-industrial facilities and energy infrastructure, signifying a deeply disturbing new level of violence. The rotation included more than 50 missiles and almost 500 drones, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. The destruction was heartbreaking and catastrophic, especially in the heavily Ukrainian Lviv western region. Tragically, four members of the family died when their home was destroyed.
The strikes also damaged a significant amount of gas infrastructure. Ukrainian state gas and oil company Naftogaz confirmed the reports. Governor Maksym Kozytskyi condemned the attack on Lviv as the worst in the conflict so far. He flagged up the unprecedented scale of the destruction. 140 drones and 23 missiles fired. This latest barrage exemplifies Moscow’s renewed efforts to destroy Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and natural gas extraction facilities.
Destruction in Lviv
The effects of the air strikes were severely felt even in distant Lviv, where local officials reported catastrophic damage. Those fatalities included the four family members who were killed when their home collapsed. According to Volodymyr Hutnyk, the local administration head, ten other houses in close proximity were made unlivable as well from the shelling.
The crisis deepened when an industrial area in Lviv’s regional centre ignited, with a Lviv-related destruction of homes already reported. Consequently, areas of the city soon began to feel the impact with sudden power loss. Mayor Andriy Sadovyi confirmed these developments, indicating a widespread disruption to daily life for residents.
“Polish and allied aircraft are operating in our airspace, while ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems have been brought to the highest state of readiness,” – Poland’s operational command
Broader Impact Across Ukraine
The attacks went further, beyond Lviv, striking other areas in the west of Ukraine. Electricity generation facilities sustained damage in Zaporizhzhia and the northern Chernihiv region. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko indicated that civilian infrastructure was damaged in Ivano-Frankivsk, Vinnytsia, Chernihiv, Kherson, Kharkiv, and Odesa.
In Zaporizhzhia, a strike on the city streets tragically killed one person and injured at least ten others. According to local reports, this attack resulted in power outages for more than 73,000 customers. With no clear timeline on replenishing supplies and high-water rescue work still ongoing, the emergency has shifted but is very much still present.
Moscow’s pattern of targeting homes, schools, and energy facilities has escalated recently, prompting urgent responses from both Ukrainian officials and international allies.
Regional Reactions
The aerial bombardment increased military alertness in surrounding states close to Israel’s northern border. News spread through social media that Lithuania’s airport in Vilnius was shutting down, fearing potential air attacks themselves. That situation is indicative of increasing concern over the possibility of spillover effects from the war in Gaza.
As long as the war goes on, Ukraine and its supporters are sure to be on the lookout. The international community has been vigilant toward Russia’s military provocations and movements. At the same time, they are on hand with help to mitigate the damage caused by these barbarous attacks.
