More Deadly Strikes in Kyiv as Russia and Ukraine Escalate Attacks

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Facts

  • Amid weeks of deadly and escalating attacks between Russia and Ukraine, Moscow again launched a volley of drones and missiles at Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities in the early hours of Tuesday.1
  • Valerii Zaluzhnyi, commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces, said that Russia launched a total of 99 missiles of different types, adding that 72 of those were shot down by missile defenses. Zaluzhnyi said that the attacks primarily targeted the Ukrainian capital, further stating that Russia attacked civilian and critical infrastructure facilities, as well as industrial and military sites.2
  • In Kyiv, though over 60 missiles were reportedly shot down, extensive damage was reported across the city from falling missile debris. Officials said that at least two civilians were killed in the capital, while a further two deaths were recorded in the wider Kyiv region. One person was also reported killed in the northeastern city of Kharkiv, also the target of widespread Russian attacks.3
  • The missile and drone strikes follow a series of Russian attacks on Ukraine in December, escalating last Friday when Moscow launched its biggest aerial assault of the war when at least 41 civilians were killed. A day later, Ukraine launched attacks on the Russian border city of Belgorod — reportedly killing 26 — and inflicting the biggest loss of life on Russian soil since the war started some 22 months ago.1
  • On Monday, speaking from a visit to a military hospital in Moscow, Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin pledged to 'intensify' Russia's attacks against Ukraine, saying that the military would continue targeting Ukrainian 'military installations.' He told soldiers the war was turning in the Kremlin's favor and that he wanted the conflict to be over rapidly, but on Russia's terms.4
  • On Tuesday, following Moscow's attacks, Russia's defense ministry said it shot down 17 Ukrainian rockets over Belgorod as part of an apparent Ukrainian response. At least one person was reported killed.5

Sources: 1Associated Press, 2Ukrainska Pravda, 3Alarabiya News, 4BBC News and 5TASS.

Narratives

  • Pro-Ukraine narrative, as provided by Ukrainska Pravda. With another mass attack, Russia is escalating its use of terror on Ukraine's civilian population. Ukraine's Western allies must condemn these tactics, as well as take resolute action to stop this kind of aggression from happening again.
  • Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by TASS. While Russia's attacks have targeted military facilities, Ukraine has deliberately targeted Russia's civilian population. Moscow has no choice but to respond to these acts of terror by intensifying its military response.

Predictions