Russia launches new wave of brutal airborne strikes on Ukraine

Russia’s military over the past week continued its ongoing campaign of deliberately targeting ordinary Ukrainians and destroying the country’s civilian infrastructure. The occupiers launched numerous cross-border attacks on several Ukrainian cities, using drones, ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as guided bombs.

Poltava region

Russian forces struck the centrally located city of Poltava, hitting a residential building, on Feb. 1. The search and rescue operation for survivors lasted more than a day. The attack claimed 14 lives, including three children, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported.

“Twenty people were injured, including 4 children aged 3 months, 2, 8, and 12 years old. Twenty-two people were rescued,” the first responders said.

The aerial strike destroyed the main entrance of the residential building and all its five floors, while also igniting a fire at the site. Other neighboring buildings were damaged, as well as 12 passenger vehicles.

The Poltava municipal government subsequently declared a three-day mourning period for those killed by the Russian attack.

“A Russian missile kills civilians. This day has left a deep wound in the heart of our city and in each of us,” said acting Poltava Mayor Kateryna Yamshykova, as cited by Ukrainska Pravda.

Odesa

Russian forces launched a ballistic missile attack on southern Ukraine, specifically targeting the Black Sea port city of Odesa, on the evening of Jan. 31. Three people were injured, including a boy born in 2006, said Oleh Kiper, head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration.

Among those in the attack’s vicinity were Norwegian diplomatic representatives, as reported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The powerful explosion damaged around 15 cultural heritage sites. 

“The historic center of Odesa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was once again targeted in a missile attack on Jan. 31,” Odesa Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov stated.

The 19th-century landmark Bristol hotel located across the street from the Philharmonic Theater was damaged, Trukhanov said. 

Other nearby historic buildings were also affected, with shattered windows and structural damage.

Three other national landmarks were damaged as well: the Odesa State Philharmonic New Exchange and the Vuchini House (19 Italian Street), as well as the Odesa Museum of Western and Eastern Art and the Odesa Literature Museum (Sicard House).

From an architectural, social importance, and monetary perspective, the Odesa State Philharmonic New Exchange is considered the most valuable of the damaged buildings.

“Since 2023, the philharmonic building has been under enhanced protection by UNESCO in accordance with the 1999 Second Protocol to the 1954 Hague Convention ‘On the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict,’ as reported by Ukrainska Pravda.

Zaporizhzhia

The southeastern region of Zaporizhzhia also witnessed Russian aerial attacks recently, with more than 10 strikes recorded overnight on Feb. 1.

“As a result of the attack, an infrastructural facility and both multi-story and single-family homes were damaged. More than 400 residents are without electricity,” said Ivan Fedorov, head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration.

Fortunately, there were no casualties reported.

Sumy

A Russian drone struck a high-rise building in the northeastern city of Sumy, claiming the lives of 11 people in the early hours of Jan. 30, reported acting Mayor Artem Kobzar.

“Another [Iranian-provided Russian] Shahed drone hit an apartment building, tearing down the walls,” Kobzar added.

Ukrainian communities have persistently held protests, calling on the world to take notice of Russia’s war crimes, including attacks on civilians. Demonstrations have taken place in Paris, Stockholm, and other cities.

Russia attacks Ukrainian cities and villages daily. The Ukrainian World Congress publishes news on the largest shelling incidents. For more detailed information on the consequences of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, read the Victory Chronicles.