Russia Launches Wave of Missiles, Avdiivka 'Extremely Critical'
Facts
- Russia on Thursday launched its second major missile attack on Ukraine this month, triggering explosions in Kyiv as well as a number of other cities and regions.1
- Ukrainian officials said Russia deployed a total of 26 missiles — 13 of which were brought down by missile defenses, including all that were headed for Kyiv.2
- However, damage was reported to multiple civilian infrastructure facilities in other Ukrainian regions. Namely, in the regions of Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Khmelnytskyi, and Zaporizhzhia, resulting in a total of 11 civilian injuries. Meanwhile, one civilian was killed in each of Chuhuiv and Kherson.2
- In the western region of Lviv, missiles reportedly 'significantly damaged' the facilities of a power supplier, local officials said. This forced it to be cut off from the grid and temporarily left some consumers in the region without electricity, they added.3
- Meanwhile, Ukraine also launched missile attacks into Russia, striking in the border region of Belgorod. Russian officials said five civilians were killed and 18 were injured.4
- On the front lines, amid reports that Russia is pressing in the Donetsk city of Avdiivka, the commander of Ukraine's 3rd Brigade described the situation as 'hell,' adding that the situation was 'extremely critical.' He added, 'We are forced to fight 360 degrees against new brigades that the enemy is deploying.'5
Sources: 1TASS (a), 2The Kyiv Independent, 3Ukrainska Pravda (a), 4TASS (b) and 5Ukrainska Pravda (b).
Narratives
- Pro-Ukraine narrative, as provided by UKRINFORM. As it has done throughout the war, Russia continues to deliberately target Ukraine's civilian population as well as the energy infrastructure they rely on. Russian terrorism must be stopped.
- Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by TASS. Russia has repeatedly said that it does not target civilians. All strikes are directed at military targets, including military warehouses, fuel depots, and training facilities.