Russia has fired a barrage of missiles at Ukrainian cities for the second time in three days.
Pavlohrad, a logistics center near the city of Dnipro in central Ukraine, was attacked before a highly anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive.
The strike ignited a massive fire, destroyed dozens of homes, and injured 34 individuals.
Several hours later, the nationwide air raid alert sounded, with Kyiv among the targets.
The Ukrainian army stated that it had intercepted 15 of the 18 cruise missiles that had been launched.
Pavlohrad, a city in Ukrainian-held territory approximately 70 miles (110 kilometers) from the frontline, sustained the most harm. Images shared on social media depicted a colossal fire.
Olha Lytvynenko, a resident, stated that she was preparing to exit her home when “both doors were smashed out by the explosion wave.”
“I rushed outside and observed the garage’s destruction. Everything was ablaze, with shattered glass everywhere. Had we been outside, we would have been murdered,” she said.
The military administration of Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, characterized it as a “tragic night and morning” after an industrial site was attacked.
In addition, 19 high-rise apartment buildings, 25 private homes, six schools, and kindergartens, and five stores were damaged.
Vladimir Rogov, a Russian-installed official, stated in a Telegram message with a thumbs-up that the strike targeted railway infrastructure and petroleum depots.
Three hours later, at approximately 04:00 local time (02:00 GMT), a three-hour air raid alert sounded in Kyiv.
According to the military administration, all missiles and drones aimed at the capital have been obliterated.
Regional Ukrainian officials recorded 39 Russian shellings in Kherson, which Russia still controls.
They originated from ground-based weapons, drones, and aircraft, the authorities said, adding that one individual was slain.
Also Ukraine’s non-frontline assaults have increased recently. On Friday, 23 individuals were murdered in Uman’s central city.
Ukraine says it is finalizing preparations for a long-awaited offensive against Russian forces, backed by weapons and military equipment supplied by the West.
Similarly, Russia has fortified its positions on occupied territory in preparation for a Ukrainian offensive.
Cl Gen Mikhail Mizintsev, the Russian deputy defense minister who supervised armed forces logistics, was fired in the latest change to the country’s military leadership; he had been appointed to the position in September.
Front-line soldiers complain of food and clothing shortages and inadequate military equipment.
A Ukrainian official reported on Monday that the army had expelled Russian forces from some positions in the eastern city of Bakhmut, which had been under siege for months.
The commander of ground forces, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated via Telegram that the situation remained “quite difficult” but that “the enemy is unable to take control of the city.”
