Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned Russia’s recent wave of attacks on Ukrainian cities, labeling them as “another wave of terrorist crimes.” The air strikes targeted several cities, including Poltava, Kharkiv, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Khmelnytskyi, and Kyiv, using missiles, drones, and aerial bombs.
Zelenskyy shared the grim details of the attack on social media, noting significant destruction and loss of life. Notably, in Poltava, a residential building was completely destroyed, leaving ten people wounded, including children. Tragically, three people were killed.
The Ukrainian president expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and confirmed emergency services were on-site to provide assistance and rescue survivors. Six additional injuries were reported across other regions, including Kharkiv, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, and Kyiv.
According to reports, a strike drone killed one person in Kharkiv, and two individuals lost their lives in Sumy.
Emphasizing the dire need for international support, Zelenskyy reiterated the urgent requirement for air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians. “Every air defense system, every interceptor missile, means a life saved,” he stated.
Zelenskyy urged partner nations to honor their commitments and increase pressure on Russia, highlighting the importance of enhanced defense capabilities amid continued Russian aggression.
Recent developments indicate Ukrainian military officials reported the likely withdrawal of North Korean troops deployed to assist Russia. Colonel Oleksandr Kindratenko, spokesperson for the Ukrainian military’s Special Operations Forces, noted these forces had not been seen on the frontlines for over three weeks, likely retreating after sustaining significant losses.
Approximately 12,000 North Korean soldiers were sent to Russia, with around 4,000 reportedly killed or injured, according to both Ukrainian and Western intelligence sources.
Meanwhile, reports from February 1st indicate another wave of Russian assaults across Ukraine. A barrage of Shahed drones and missiles on Saturday killed at least 11 people and damaged dozens of residential buildings and energy infrastructure nationwide.
The Ukrainian Interior Ministry stated one missile struck Poltava, killing seven individuals, including three children, and injuring 14 others. Emergency crews were seen searching through rubble as clouds of smoke billowed from the stricken building.
Adding to the grim toll, one person was killed and four wounded during drone attacks in Kharkiv, and three police officers were killed patrolling streets in Sumy during these assaults.
“Last night, Russia attacked our cities using various types of weapons: missiles, attack drones, and aerial bombs,” President Zelenskyy commented on the strikes, which affected six regions. “Each such terrorist attack proves we need more support for our defense against Russian terror. Every air defense system, every anti-missile weapon saves lives,” he added.
At least eight people were reported dead overnight after Russian drone and missile strikes hit several towns and cities on Saturday, with more than 22 individuals rescued from the aftermath of the attacks.
The acting governor of Poltava, Volodymyr Kohut, announced three days of mourning for the victims. Rescue teams remain active at the site of devastation.
Elsewhere, debris from downed drones killed a 60-year-old woman in the Kharkiv region as local officials struggled to manage the repercussions of the relentless assaults.
Russian troops have continued their encroaching campaign through eastern Ukraine, reporting control over key territories, including Krymske, north of the frontline town of Toretsk.
The Institute for the Study of War predicted Russian forces might take full control of Toretsk shortly, intensifying the conflict.
Concurrently, airstrikes on Ukraine’s southern city of Odesa targeted the historic center, injuring seven people. The area, classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO, witnessed missiles raining down near the city’s iconic opera house, where Norwegian diplomatic representatives were reportedly present during the attack.
According to the United Nations, the full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine has regrettably led to the deaths of more than 10,000 Ukrainian civilians since its inception nearly three years ago. Many civilians experience hardship due to Russian attacks on energy infrastructures, resulting in severe shortages of heating and water.
The latest missile strikes forced emergency power grid shutdowns across seven Ukrainian regions, including Poltava, impacting the daily lives of countless citizens struggling under the effects of war.
While the conflict escalates, Ukraine has reportedly engaged its own strikes against Russia, with air defenses intercepting nine drones within Russian territories, including Bryansk, Belgorod, and Saratov regions.