Russian missile attack devastates Ukraine, claiming lives, causing widespread injuries

A tragic Russian missile attack targeting a residential apartment block has resulted in the loss of at least four lives and left more than 30 individuals injured. This devastating strike, deemed one of the most significant on civilian infrastructure in Lviv since the onset of Russia’s invasion last year, has sent shockwaves throughout the region, according to officials.

Confirming the casualties, Ukraine’s Interior Minister, Ihor Klymenko, announced on Thursday that the death toll had reached four individuals as a result of the attack. The missile assault caused severe damage, resulting in the collapse of the third and fourth floors of the targeted apartment building. Search and rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate and rescue those trapped beneath the debris, added Klymenko.

Ukraine’s Interior Ministry later revised the number of injured individuals to 32, including a child. Reports indicate that emergency services have successfully extricated seven people from the rubble and evacuated an additional 64 individuals to safety.

Expressing his dismay, Lviv’s Mayor, Andriy Sadovyi, took to his Telegram channel, calling the attack “the biggest assault on Lviv’s civilian infrastructure since the beginning of Russia’s invasion.” He emphasized that ongoing rescue operations were focused on clearing debris and recovering the deceased from the affected building.

According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched a total of 10 Kalibr missiles from the Black Sea, specifically targeting Lviv. Fortunately, seven of the incoming missiles were intercepted and destroyed, averting further loss of life and damage.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy swiftly condemned the attack on social media, extending his heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed in Lviv. He also vowed a strong response to the aggressor.

In a Twitter post accompanied by a video showcasing the extensive destruction, President Zelenskyy highlighted the devastating impact of the missile strike in Lviv. Meanwhile, Lviv’s regional Governor, Maksym Kozytskyi, shared a brief 13-second video clip revealing a four-story apartment building with significant portions reduced to rubble or completely destroyed. Kozytskyi also mentioned that a critical infrastructure facility had suffered damage, although specific details were not disclosed.

The reports of significant damage and civilian casualties in Lviv followed the activation of air raid alarms across Ukraine during the early hours of Thursday morning. These alarms were accompanied by reports of cruise missiles breaching Ukrainian airspace. Mayor Sadovyi had previously reported a series of explosions in the city and assured residents that all city services were diligently performing their duties.

Since its invasion in February 2022, Russia has continuously launched drone and missile attacks on various locations across Ukraine. While the Lviv region, situated far from the front lines, had enjoyed relative peace, it recently experienced an extensive Russian drone assault in late June, along with Kyiv and other cities.

Ukraine has made efforts to bolster its air defense systems with weaponry supplied by Western nations, resulting in a decrease in the number of Russian missiles and drones breaching their defenses. However, Yuriy Ignat, spokesperson for Ukraine’s air forces, acknowledged that the newly acquired air defense systems still fall short of providing comprehensive coverage for the entire country. The incident in Lviv serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing threat and the need for heightened security measures to safeguard innocent lives and protect civilian infrastructure throughout Ukraine.