More than 20 people have been killed in the latest Russian missile strike on an apartment block in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro
More than 20 people have been killed in the latest Russian missile strike on an apartment block in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, the day after missiles and explosions were heard across the country.
At least 73 people were wounded in the attack on the 9-story apartment building, including 4 who are in critical condition. The strike destroyed 72 apartments and damaged 230 apartments. The rescue operation is ongoing with more than 40 people still unaccounted for.
The Ukrainian Air Force said the Russian missile fired at the apartment block in Dnipro was a Kh-22, the same type that hit a busy shopping mall in Central Ukraine last summer. The Kh-22 was fired from a Tu-22M3 long-range bomber, launched from the area near Kursk and the Sea of Azov. There were a total of 5 launches of these missiles. The Kh-22 is an older type of cruise missile that is less accurate than most modern missiles.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine lack the firepower capabilities to shoot down this type of missile. Since the beginning of Russia’s military aggression, more than 210 missiles of this type have been launched at the territory of Ukraine. None of them have been shot down by Ukraine Air Defense Systems.
Elsewhere, missiles and explosions were heard everywhere from Lviv in the West, Kharkiv in the Northeast, Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro in the Southeast, Myokaliv in the South and Kharkiv in the Northeast.
The Energy Minister of Ukraine – German Galushchenko said that emergency blackouts have been applied in most regions of Ukraine due to the fresh barrage of Russian attacks. While the energy infrastructure is being restored, the attacks have increased the energy deficit. He also warned that the period of outages may increase.
Meanwhile, the President of Russia – Vladimir Putin has said that his so-called special military operation in Ukraine is showing a positive dynamic and that he hoped Russian soldiers would achieve more results on the battlefield after Soledar.
Speaking to Russia State Television – Rossiya 1, Putin said, “The dynamics are positive, everything is developing within the framework of the plan by the Ministry of Defense, the General Staff, and I hope that our fighters will continue pleasing us with the results of their combat work.”
Putin also said that the economic situation in Russia was stable and much better than forecasts. However, according to Ukrainian officials, heavy battles are still continuing in Soledar after Russia claimed that it was in control of the eastern town. The Russian forces are also advancing in Lyman, Avdiivka, and Novopavlivka directions.
