Meanwhile, Russia carried out a new massive missile and drone attack overnight, targeting Kyiv and other city areas in Ukraine. This attack comes in the wake of Russia’s promise to retaliate after Ukraine greatly increased the range of the war with drone strikes on Russia’s strategic bomber fleet. The situation took a dramatic turn. The Ukrainian military used quadrocopter drones camouflaged within wooden structures to destroy all but one of Russia’s multi-role bombers.
The attack started late Thursday evening, with Iranian kamikaze drones and Russian Kalibr cruise missiles hitting multiple targets across Kyiv. Witnesses described a series of powerful explosions that shook the entire city, breaking glass and frightening residents in their homes. Photos in the aftermath of the strike showed what was extensive damage. A mall went up in spectacular flames, and a massive apartment complex was hit by similar fires in one of Kyiv’s western districts.
By daybreak on Friday, authorities confirmed that four people had been killed in the attacks. Furthermore, 20 more were injured, 16 of whom were hospitalized. With the war still raging, even daily life in Kyiv has changed drastically. A Russian cruise missile strike hit a passenger train while it was on the transit between two stations completely crippling the metro transport infrastructure.
Tymur Tkachenko, representative of the local government in the Kyiv Region, warned local residents on December 14 of emergency cuts of power. This alert is issued as a reaction to the recent escalation concerning the Darnytskyi district on the city’s eastern side. This latest development should raise red flags about the safety and stability of Kyiv as the capital continues to face heavy attacks.
As if to test their new report, on Wednesday Russian President Vladimir Putin held phone conversations with both the leaders of India and the United States. This dialogue coincided with Russia’s announcement that it would respond to Ukraine’s drone attacks at a time and manner of its choosing. Trump’s comments hinted at a darkly interventionist new approach to the conflict.
“Sometimes you’re better off letting them fight for a while and then pulling them apart.” – US President Donald Trump
This massive scale of bombardment represents a dramatic increase in the intensity of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. As the situation escalates, the world looks on with bated breath, hoping for more restraint and for a diplomatic resolution to prevent further violence.