Overnight Russian Attack on Ukraine Reported
UKRAINE – An overnight Russian attack on Ukraine was reported on Friday, with Kyiv purporting the attack as the promised response to Ukrainian drone attack on Russian airfields. The Russian Ministry of Defense on Friday confirmed the retaliatory attack against “terrorism,” targeting Ukrainian defense ministry sites.
Ukrainian Sites Targeted
The Russian Ministry of Defense used a barrage of air, sea, and land-based missiles as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The targets of Russia’s overnight strikes included “design bureaus, enterprises involved in production and repair of Ukraine’s weapons and military equipment, workshops for the assembly of attack drones, flight training centers as well as warehouses of weapons and military equipment,” the ministry said.
It added that “the goal of the strike was achieved. All designated facilities were hit.”
What Ukraine Said
“Overnight, Russia ‘responded’ to its destroyed aircraft… by attacking civilians in Ukraine. Kyiv, Lutsk, Lviv, Ternopil, Chernihiv, Kremenchuk, and others. Multi-story buildings hit. Energy infrastructure damaged. There are killed and wounded people throughout the country,” the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reported.
Sybiha claimed that unlike Russia, Ukraine doesn’t target civilian infrastructure, but only military sites.
He added that, “putting Ukraine and Russia on equal footing is unacceptable. Russia is the aggressor, and Ukraine defends itself. Ukraine’s strikes are self-defense, whereas Russia’s are acts of aggression and terror. Russia’s overnight attack on civilians once again demonstrates that the international pressure on Moscow must be increased as soon as possible. Russia’s only argument is terror. Our response should be strong sanctions, which can increase the cost of war for the aggressor, and new decisions strengthening Ukraine’s defense.”
Ukrainian Emergency Responders Killed in Action
Earlier reports said that 3 Ukrainian emergency responders were killed and 9 others injured as they were responding to the aftermath of the Russian attack.
“Last night, missiles and drones deliberately targeted civilian and critical infrastructure. Emergency services — SES and police — responded to every call for help. Sadly, we have suffered more losses in the Interior Ministry family,” Ukrainian Interior Minister, Ihor Klymenko announced.
“A deep bow to our fallen heroes — unarmed, courageous, loyal to their oath, and devoted to their life-saving mission. Wishing a swift recovery to the injured,” he added.
The SES released a statement saying that “today we grieve. The big SES family mourns. These are not just losses — they are wounds that will hurt for a long time, tears that have yet to dry, and an emptiness that can never be filled.”
