Russian Strike in Western Ukraine Claims Nine Lives, Zelensky Reports

Emergency responders are operating at the crash site in Ternopil

Nine individuals have lost their lives and dozens more injured in a Russian assault on the western city of Ternopil, according to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

Multi-story residential buildings were struck in the attacks, as Russia launched over 470 drones and 47 missiles at Ukraine overnight in what Zelensky described as a “shameless attack.”

Three districts of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, were also targeted by a massive drone strike, injuring more than 30 people, including children. Online images showed structures and vehicles on fire.

Power outages are affecting several regions nationwide, Ukraine’s energy ministry reported.

The early Wednesday assault ranks among the deadliest on western Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion commenced in February 2022.

Zelensky stated there was “considerable damage” in Ternopil, adding that individuals might be trapped beneath debris.

Energy facilities, transportation, and civil infrastructure were damaged in other parts of western Ukraine.

The energy sector in Ivano-Frankivsk region was also attacked, with two of the three injured being children.

Critical infrastructure and energy sites were hit in the Lviv region, Zelensky said, while the regional head confirmed an energy facility was struck.

Zelensky, currently in Turkey for discussions with his counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, appealed for support from Ukraine’s allies, writing: “Each brazen attack on ordinary existence demonstrates that pressure on Russia is inadequate. Effective sanctions and aid to Ukraine can alter this.”

Ukraine’s president had expressed a desire to “accelerate” peace talks ahead of the Ankara meeting, but the Kremlin stated no Russian representative would participate.

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