Nationwide air alert: Russia steps up missile attacks on Ukraine

Nationwide aerial alert
Russia has stepped up missile attacks on Ukraine

01/14/2023, 4:20 PM

An air alert is in place again across Ukraine: officials report Russian shelling in several areas, including the capital Kiev. In the city of Dnipro, a residential building was reportedly vandalized. Energy infrastructure is also becoming a target again.

After isolated Russian rocket attacks in Ukraine earlier in the morning, Moscow has again significantly increased its shelling of many parts of the country. Ukrainian officials said an aerial alert had been issued across the country. The capital Kyiv was again hit by shelling, in addition to several other areas, including Odessa in the south, Kharkiv in the east and Lviv in the west. There were several explosions. People have been urged to seek shelter.

The presidential administration released a photo of a destroyed apartment building in Dnipro. Thus, it was suspected that there were people under the rubble. Andriy Yermak, head of the presidential office in Kyiv, was appalled: “Russians are terrorists, they will be punished for everything. Everyone – without exception.” He said the anti-aircraft and air forces were doing their job. “We will fight back,” he said. The enemy has not changed tactics and continues to attack civilian infrastructure.

Officials also reported new targeted attacks on energy infrastructure. There were power cuts in many places and people were plunged into darkness. These are the first such attacks since the start of the year. Ukraine’s air force had already warned of possible new attacks. Accordingly, numerous Tupolev Tu-95 long-range bombers were in the air during the day. In addition, Russian warships have taken positions in the Black Sea from which rockets are repeatedly fired.

Klitschko: Rockets falling in Kiev

According to Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko, rocket debris fell in the capital early in the morning. The fire was extinguished in an unoccupied building. In the afternoon, the media reported that smoke was seen at the main railway station in the city.

Since mid-October, Russia has launched several large-scale attacks, primarily on facilities in the Ukrainian energy system. Due to the massive damage to the infrastructure, there were power outages in many places and lakhs of people were affected. The Ukrainian government accuses Russia of “terrorism” – intent on plunging the country into darkness and cold. Kiev has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of trying to force people to leave in order to destabilize the EU through mass immigration.