Russia’s Escalating Attacks on Ukraine: Lviv and Poltava Devastated

Escalating Attacks: Russia Strikes Lviv and Poltava

In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Russia unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones targeting the western Ukrainian city of Lviv early Wednesday morning. This city, located not far from the NATO-member nation of Poland, experienced a devastating assault that resulted in the tragic deaths of at least three individuals and injuries to 35 others, as reported by Andriy Sadovyi, the mayor of Lviv.

Explosions were also reported on the outskirts of Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, which is still reeling from a separate Russian attack that occurred just two days prior. The regional military administrator, Maksym Kozytskyi, revealed via Telegram that a 14-year-old girl was among the fatalities in Lviv. The assault caused significant destruction, damaging over 50 residential houses, two medical facilities, and two schools, as detailed by Sadovyi in a video address to the public.

In response to the heightened threat level, Poland’s Operational Command announced that, following a “night of heightened readiness,” all operations involving Polish and allied aircraft in its airspace were suspended due to a decreased risk of missile strikes by Russian military forces targeting Ukraine.

Recent Surge in Attacks

Over the past ten days, Russia has launched an extensive campaign involving hundreds of drones and missiles aimed at various Ukrainian cities, including Poltava, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Zaporizhzhia. This surge in aggression coincides with Ukraine’s recent incursions into Kursk, a region within Russian territory.

More than 50 Lives Lost in Poltava Attack

The assault on Lviv follows closely on the heels of a catastrophic attack the previous day in Poltava, where two Russian ballistic missiles targeted a military academy and a nearby hospital, resulting in the loss of over 50 lives—the deadliest single attack of the year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was quick to share the shocking news on Tuesday, referencing preliminary reports of the strike.

The missiles struck the main building of the Poltava Military Institute of Communication, causing multiple floors to collapse. The sound of destruction quickly spread through the central-eastern town, accompanied by the pervasive scent of smoke. “People found themselves trapped under the rubble. Many were rescued,” Zelenskyy stated in a video posted on his Telegram channel. He ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and reiterated his calls for urgent assistance from Ukraine’s allies.

Filip Pronin, the governor of the Poltava region, reported via Telegram that 219 individuals sustained injuries during the attack, with up to 18 people possibly trapped beneath the debris. In addition, ten apartment buildings were damaged in the vicinity, prompting over 150 local residents to come forward to donate blood.

Pronin described the event as “a great tragedy” for both the region and the entire nation of Ukraine, announcing three days of mourning beginning Wednesday to honor the victims of this horrific assault.