Russia launched its largest aerial attack of the war. This is what Ukraine claims, saying that over 120 missiles were fired, as well as dozens of drones being launched to eliminate Ukrainian targets.
On Friday, Dec. 29, Ukraine announced that dozens of civilians lost their lives after Russia conducted its biggest aerial barrage against Ukraine. Hundreds of Ukrainians were also injured because of the massive aerial attack, which lasted for almost a day (around 18 hours). Here are other details Ukrainian officials shared about Russia's largest aerial attack of the invasion.
Russia Launches Largest Aerial Attack, Claims Ukraine
A rocket launches from a S-400 missile system at the Ashuluk military base in Southern Russia on September 22, 2020 during the "Caucasus-2020" military drills gathering China, Iran, Pakistan and Myanmar troops, along with ex-Soviet Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus.
According to The Associated Press' latest report, a Ukrainian air force official claimed that 122 missiles and dozens of drones were launched by Russia. At least 30 residents were killed because of the 18-hour onslaught.
When it comes to injuries, around 144 Ukrainian civilians were wounded. Aside from the confirmed 30 deaths, authorities said that an unknown number of Ukrainians were buried under rubble because of the aerial attack.
Some Ukrainian officials said that Russia's largest aerial barrage also damaged schools, apartment blocks, a maternity hospital, and other buildings.
People who experienced the aerial attack said that air raid and emergency service sirens were activated during the onslaught as plumes of smoke drifted into the sky; mangled metal and broken glass were also seen across the city streets in Kyiv.
Ukrainian Military Chief Valerii Zalunzhnyi said that Ukraine's air force was able to intercept most of the cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as Shahed-type drones, by the Kremlin overnight, as reported by CBS News.
Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk described the latest Russian attack as the "most massive" aerial barrage ever since the full-scale invasion of Russia started in February 2022.
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Ukrainian Civilians Describe Russia's Largest Aerial Attack
Firefighters work on a fire on a building after bombings on the eastern Ukraine town of Chuguiv on February 24, 2022, as Russian armed forces are trying to invade Ukraine from several directions, using rocket systems and helicopters to attack Ukrainian position in the south, the border guard service said.
72-year-old Kateryna Ivanivna, one of the Ukrainian civilians who experienced Russia's largest aerial attack, described what he saw on Dec. 29.
There was an explosion, then flames. I covered my head and got down in the street. Then I ran into the subway station," he shared.
Ivanivna is just one of the residents in Kyiv who was terrorized by Russia's missile and drone attacks. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that this aerial barrage should be a wake-up call for people across the globe to provide Ukraine's needs.
"Today, millions of Ukrainians awoke to the loud sound of explosions," said the official.
"I wish those sounds of explosions in Ukraine could be heard all around the world. In all major capitals, headquarters, and parliaments, which are currently debating further support for Ukraine," he added.
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