Tragic Missile Strike in Kryvyi Rih
A devastating Russian missile strike hit a five-story residential building in the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih on Monday, resulting in the tragic deaths of three children and one woman, as reported by local authorities. Governor Serhiy Lysak provided additional details, stating that at least 14 individuals sustained injuries, including a 10-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy. Emergency responders from Ukraine’s State Emergency Service successfully rescued at least five people from the rubble of the damaged building.
This attack coincided with a barrage of Russian military actions, including glide bombs, drones, and ballistic missiles, which targeted various cities across southern and eastern Ukraine. The major cities that endured these assaults lie in close proximity to the extensive 1,000-kilometer front line.
Mykolaiv Under Fire
In the southern city of Mykolaiv, Russian drones unleashed a deadly attack that claimed the lives of five people and injured a 45-year-old woman. Local authorities reported that the assault caused significant destruction, prompting around two dozen residents to seek psychological support amid the chaos that damaged homes and businesses. Mykolaiv, located approximately 60 kilometers northwest of the front line in the Kherson region, is frequently subjected to Russian aggression.
Zaporizhzhia Strikes
Overnight, the city of Zaporizhzhia also faced a ruthless assault, with three powerful glide bombs striking the area. This attack resulted in one fatality and left 21 others injured, including a young 4-year-old boy. According to Ukraine’s National Police, the strikes inflicted considerable damage, partially destroying a two-story apartment building and affecting a nearby dormitory.
President Zelenskyy’s Call for Unity
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the recent escalation of strikes, which have long terrorized civilian populations. He indicated that these attacks appear to be a calculated effort by Russia to instill fear in Ukrainians and diminish their resolve as the war approaches its 1000-day mark. “Every day, every night, Russia commits the same terror,” Zelenskyy expressed in a post on the Telegram messaging app, highlighting the growing number of civilian targets being struck.
Both Russia and Ukraine are closely monitoring potential shifts in U.S. policy regarding the war, particularly with Donald Trump set to assume office as president in January. The United States has been the largest provider of military assistance to Ukraine, but Trump has been critical of the Biden administration’s decision to allocate tens of billions of dollars in aid to Kyiv.
Meetings with European Leaders
On Monday, Zelenskyy held discussions with the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, and Estonia’s defense minister, Hanno Pevkur, in Kyiv. He expressed gratitude for their unwavering support during Ukraine’s struggle against the Russian invasion. “We need to rely on unity in Europe,” Zelenskyy asserted during his meeting with Pevkur, emphasizing the unpredictability of the situation ahead. Notably, he mentioned that Borrell had to seek shelter prior to their meeting due to the ongoing attacks.
Strategic Reinforcements
As Ukrainian forces face increasing pressure in the eastern Donetsk region, Zelenskyy announced plans for a “substantial reinforcement” in areas surrounding the Donetsk settlements of Kurakhove and Pokrovsk, where the Ukrainian army is at risk of being overwhelmed. He also pointed out that Ukraine is maintaining its positions along the border with Russia’s Kursk region, where Western and Ukrainian officials have reported the arrival of thousands of North Korean troops to support Russian military efforts.
