At Least 23 Killed in Russian Strikes Across Ukraine

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Facts

  • At least 23 people were killed after Russia launched pre-dawn drone and missile attacks on Ukraine on Friday. Most of the victims came in the central city of Uman — located 134 miles (215 km) south of Kyiv — after two missiles struck an apartment building. Ukrainian officials said 21 civilians were killed and 17 people were injured in the city.1
  • Ihor Klymenko, Ukraine's acting minister of internal affairs, said that records showed that 109 people were registered as living in the building. He said that 27 of the block's 46 apartments were completely destroyed, adding that 33 nearby cars were also damaged or destroyed.2
  • Meanwhile in the city of Dnipro, a woman and her two-year-old daughter were killed in attacks. Another four civilians were reported injured.1
  • Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine's commander-in-chief of its armed forces, said that air defenses destroyed 21 of 23 missiles fired, as well as two drones. Of those, 11 missiles were reportedly shot down over the region of Kyiv.3
  • Ruslan Kravchenko, head of the military administration in the Kyiv region, said one child was injured from falling missile debris in the city of Ukrainska. Damage was also reported to two floors of an apartment building.4
  • The attacks come a day after German publication Bild, citing sources close to Ukraine's secret service, reported that a drone packed with explosives and launched into Russia on Sunday had been an attempt to assassinate Russian Pres. Putin. The drone reportedly intended to target the Rudnevo Industrial Park, where Putin was expected to visit either Sunday or Monday, but it exploded about 12 miles (19 km) away.5

Sources: 1Associated Press, 2Ukrainska pravda (a), 3Ukrainska pravda (b), 4Ukrainska pravda (c) and 5New York Post.

Narratives

  • Anti-Russia narrative, as provided by Ukrainska pravda. These attacks on Ukrainian civilians are a further demonstration of Russia's terrorism. The international community must stand firm in condemning these actions, as well as increasing the pressure on Russia via sanctions.
  • Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by Tass. Any attacks from Ukraine into the territory of Russia will be met with firm, retaliatory action. This will include strikes on decision-making centers in Kyiv if necessary.

Predictions