The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is requesting additional military aid in response to a flurry of brutal Russian missile attacks across the country. On Saturday, the most devastating images were captured in Dnipro, where a residential tower block was largely destroyed by a lethal bombardment.
A Russian missile strike on a residential block in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro has killed at least 30 people, as part of a massive wave of attacks targeting civilians and energy infrastructure alike. Another 30 to 40 people may still be trapped beneath the rubble.
Screams were heard from beneath the debris of the nine-story apartment building as rescue teams worked through the night in sub-zero temperatures to locate survivors. Before Saturday’s strike, approximately 1,700 people resided there, according to officials.
The number of fatalities is the highest in a single location since an attack on the Zaporizhia region in September 2022.
Images from the scene of the attack revealed that the tower had been severely damaged. With large plumes of smoke billowing into the air as emergency personnel searched.
Sunday afternoon, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that at least 73 people were injured and 39 people had been rescued.
“The continuation of search and rescue operations and the dismantling of hazardous structural components. 24 hours per day. We persist in fighting for every life “Zelenskyy said.
The fourth-largest city in the country, Dnipro is centrally located on the Dnipro River and is home to a large Holocaust memorial and museum.
Mikhailo Lysenko, the deputy mayor of Dnipro, stated in a social media video that desperate residents were sending text messages from their destroyed apartments. He added, “We occasionally stop our work to maintain silence, and we hear people screaming from beneath the rubble.”
“Russian terror” strikes critical infrastructure
Saturday’s flurry of Russian strikes also damaged vital infrastructure in several major cities, including Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, Kharkiv in the east, and Lviv in the west.
The Ukrainian air force was able to intercept 25 of the invaders’ 38 missiles. But those that landed disrupted portions of the cities’ power grids.
Since October, Moscow has intensified its bombardment of Ukrainian energy infrastructure. It results in widespread blackouts and the cessation of central heating and running water.
Mr. Zelenskyy condemned the most recent attacks as “Russian terror,” as Vladimir Putin’s forces seek to exacerbate Ukrainian suffering during the frigid winter.
The energy minister of Ukraine warned that the coming days would be “difficult” as a result of Saturday’s attack. Which also claimed one life in the steel-producing city of Kryviy Rih.
Allies pledge increased support
Allies of Ukraine have pledged to send more military aid, with the White House’s ambassador to Kyiv describing the attacks on Dnipro as “horrific.”
“More security assistance is on the way to help Ukraine defend itself,” tweeted Bridget Brink.
The United States has pledged fifty Bradley anti-tank armored vehicles in its largest military aid package to date.
In the meantime, the United Kingdom has become the first Western nation to offer tanks to Kyiv.
In the coming weeks, fourteen Challenger 2 tanks and approximately thirty AS90 self-propelled guns. Which are large armaments operated by five gunners, will be sent.
Mr. Zelenskyy thanked the United Kingdom for its “impenetrable” support after speaking with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. But he requested additional assistance from other allies.
In his nightly address, he stated, “The entire world understands what and how to stop those who sow death.”
It is hoped that other allies, most notably Germany, will follow suit, unlocking the Leopard 2 tank. Which was manufactured in far greater numbers and is utilized by several European nations.
On Friday, Ukraine’s allies will meet in Ramstein, Germany, to announce their latest commitments.
The conflict for the contested town continues.
Despite Russian claims of victory, fighting continued on Saturday in the eastern Donetsk region town of Soledar. Which has witnessed some of the bloodiest fightings of the war.
The town’s fall would be a rare victory for the Kremlin after a series of battlefield setbacks. As Moscow claims that taking control would allow its forces to cut Ukrainian supply lines to the nearby city of Bakhmut.
However, pockets of resistance remain, and according to Ukrainian officials, the conflict continues.
“Our soldiers are constantly repelling enemy attacks, day and night,” said Hanna Malaar, the deputy defense minister.
“Despite suffering heavy losses, the enemy continues to execute the criminal orders of their command.”
