On February 1, Ukraine experienced another devastating missile strike as Russian forces targeted residential buildings, leading to the tragic loss of lives, including children, and heightened fears among civilians. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine (DSNS) reported on February 2, one day after the attack, the death toll rose to 14, which included two children. The missile strike, carried out using the infamous Kh-22 missile, obliterated parts of the residential structure and caused significant damage to surrounding areas.
Svitlana Rybalko, spokesperson for the Poltava Oblast rescue services, confirmed to Suspilne the ages of the two deceased children, nine and twelve years old, from the same family. “My entire family was killed in this block of flats - my son, my daughter-in-law, and my granddaughter,” said Igor, the grandfather of young Sofia Yavorska who was killed in the attack. The loss of Sofia and her parents, both aged 37, struck deep sorrow within the community. This devastating incident left many residents, including children, injured, as 17 people were reported hurt, with several suffering severe injuries.
According to Volodymyr Kohut, acting head of the Poltava Oblast Military Administration, this attack featured tactics familiar from previous incidents, including the June 2022 strike on the Amstor mall, where dozens of civilians were killed. The Kh-22 missile struck the residential building at approximately 7:05 AM, decimations were felt across multiple floors, setting off fires and sending tremors through nearby infrastructures.
Emergency services played a prominent role during the search and rescue efforts. Reports indicate at least 22 individuals were saved from the rubble, and psychologist teams from the DSNS supported 194 affected persons, including 11 children, addressing their mental health immediately after the ordeal. Rescue operations continued even as the search for five missing people remained urgent. Witnesses described scenes of chaos, recalling their helplessness as they awaited news of trapped loved ones.
The aftermath of this attack sparked intense emotions and outrage as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly condemned the continuous aggression from Russia. “Every day, Russia attacks Ukraine with drones, missiles, and aerial bombs,” Zelensky stated, emphasizing the ferocity of these assaults, which lately included nearly 50 missile launches and extensive bombing campaigns against civilian areas. He called for improved international aid, including air defenses and long-range weaponry, stressing the need to strengthen Ukrainian defenses against what he termed “brutal and unprovoked aggression.”
Recently, reports of additional strikes unfurling across various Ukrainian regions, including Odesa, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia, added to the national distress. Further, Resouses would be needed to assess the true extent of damages and civilian casualties from participants across the nation under siege. The Ukrainian government contended these attacks are strategic efforts aimed at diminishing the spirit and morale of the citizens, targeting innocent families as they go about their day-to-day lives.
Among the deceased was well-known Ukrainian actress Anastasia ‘Nastia’ Kolovakh, who lost her life during the same missile strike. The theatre community mourned her passing, with colleagues expressing condolences, underscoring the indelible loss exerted by this aggression on Ukrainian culture and society. "We offer our condolences to Nastia's family, all her acquaintances, friends, and colleagues who knew her,” the Theatre of Modern Dialogue lamented. The emotional ramifications are evident, as expressions of grief turned to calls for action against what many see as futile negotiations with the Kremlin.
This assault is contextualized within the broader spectrum of Russian military tactics used against civilians, as illustrated by Andriy Yermak, head of Zelensky’s office, who said the indiscriminate bombings represent typical Russo-Ukrainian warfare. He noted, “They also even wipe out villages in their own Kursk region with people, shelling them with KAB [aerial bombs].” This situation intensifies the call for international intervention and raises serious questions about future strategies to reduce civilian casualties.
The urgency for global support is more pressing than ever. Victims like Sofia Yavorska and other innocent lives lost remain rallying cries for enhancing protection against such hostile attacks. The emotional tales of devastated families resonate with the immediate need to strengthen international military support and put pressure on Russia to adhere to more humanitarian standards as the conflict stretches on.
Overall, this latest Russian missile strike once again highlights the dire need for increased attention, support, and resources from the international community to assist Ukraine as it defends itself against unrelenting aggression. While fears mount about the next wave of attacks, the courageous stories of survivors and their loved ones serve as reminders of the human stakes involved—and the need for concrete action.