A Russian missile attack on the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil has resulted in the deaths of nine individuals and left dozens more injured, according to Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s president. The assault involved over 470 drones and 47 missiles, marking one of the deadliest strikes on western Ukraine since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The attack, which occurred early on Wednesday, targeted nine-storey residential blocks, causing significant destruction. President Zelensky reported that the devastation was so severe that individuals might be trapped beneath the debris. Images circulating on social media depicted flames engulfing buildings and vehicles in the aftermath of the strikes.
Widespread Impact Across Ukraine
In addition to Ternopil, the city of Kharkiv faced a massive drone assault, with three districts affected and over 30 people injured, including children. The Ukrainian energy ministry indicated that power outages are impacting various regions across the country as a result of these attacks.
Damage was also reported to critical infrastructure in the Ivano-Frankivsk and Lviv regions. In Ivano-Frankivsk, two of the injured were confirmed to be children. Zelensky emphasized that energy facilities and civil infrastructure were among the targets, amplifying the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The president’s remarks came as he attended talks in Turkey with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president. While in Ankara, Zelensky reiterated the need for increased support from Ukraine’s allies. He stated, “Every brazen attack against ordinary life shows that the pressure on Russia is insufficient. Effective sanctions and assistance to Ukraine can change this.”
Zelensky expressed a desire to “intensify” peace negotiations ahead of his meeting with Erdogan, yet the Kremlin announced that no Russian representative would participate in the discussions.
As the situation continues to develop, additional details will emerge. This tragic event underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Ukraine as it grapples with the consequences of the invasion and seeks international support to address the crisis.
