Ukraine Faces Heavy Losses in Latest Russian Airstrikes
At least five people lost their lives and ten others were injured during extensive Russian airstrikes across Ukraine, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The attacks, which took place on Sunday, involved over 50 missiles and cruise missiles, along with approximately 500 drones, marking a significant escalation in hostilities.
The Lviv region, located in western Ukraine near the Polish border, experienced the highest casualties, with four fatalities reported. Besides Lviv, the regions of Zaporizhzhya, Sumy, Kharkiv, Odessa, and Kherson were also severely affected, as Russian forces targeted critical infrastructure across these areas. Zelensky confirmed that rescue and reconstruction efforts are currently underway in multiple locations.
Calls for Enhanced Defence Measures
In light of the recent attacks, Zelensky emphasized the urgent need for increased protection and a swift implementation of all defence agreements, especially in the realm of air defence. He stated that measures must be taken to make “this air terror meaningless.”
During his address, Zelensky suggested that a “ceasefire in the sky” could be achievable, though he did not elaborate on the specifics. He expressed hope that such an agreement could facilitate genuine diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict.
The Ukrainian president urged the United States and European nations to take decisive action to compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to ease military aggression against Ukraine.
Polish Military Response
In a related development, Poland’s armed forces reported that fighter jets were temporarily deployed in response to threats in the region. However, they confirmed that no violations of Polish airspace occurred during the heightened tensions.
Military officials noted that ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems were activated as a precaution, but operations have since returned to normal. The Polish military expressed gratitude for the support of Dutch Air Force F-35 fighter jets, which assisted in safeguarding Poland’s airspace during the night.
As the situation unfolds, the international community continues to monitor developments closely, underscoring the need for coordinated responses to address the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
