Ukraine says Russia carried out large-scale missile strikes on 2 Ukrainian cities

Ukraine and Russia war Update

Ukrainian officials said on Tuesday (January 23) that Russia launched its latest large-scale air strike in Ukraine, killing at least four people and injuring more than 60 people.

It is understood that the early morning missile attack mainly targeted Ukraine’s two largest cities, the capital Kiev and Kharkiv in the east.

Kharkiv Governor Oleh Synehubov said on the Telegram social platform that an apartment building in Kharkiv was attacked, killing three people and injuring 42 others. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov told local television that rescuers were still searching for survivors in the rubble and that 30 apartment buildings were damaged in the attack.

Ukraine’s state-owned oil and gas company, Naftogaz, said a natural gas pipeline in Kharkiv was also damaged and was being repaired.

Vitali Klitschko, mayor of the capital Kyiv, said that 20 people, including three children, were injured in at least three areas, and fires broke out in multiple apartments and non-residential buildings.

Witnesses said they heard several explosions in and around Kiev and saw burning debris falling from the sky.

“A strong explosion, our house… is shaking,” Ukrainian MP Iryna Geraschenko wrote on Telegram. The Ukrainian Air Force said its military had destroyed 41 missiles of different types launched by Russia. 21 pieces.

The top Ukrainian general, Serhiy Naiev, released a video. He said that in the video, air defense forces shot down a Russian missile with machine guns.

Kiev has repeatedly called on its Western partners to provide more advanced air defense systems as it struggles to fend off coordinated attacks from Russia.

Andriy Yermak, director of the Ukrainian presidential office, wrote on Telegram: “The world must understand that this terror can only be stopped by force.”

Officials in the Sumy region in northern Ukraine also said that Shostka The city came under a missile attack, and critical infrastructure was damaged.

Russia had no immediate comment on the attack, but it has regularly carried out air strikes on cities and civilian infrastructure behind its front lines during the nearly two-year war in Ukraine.

Moscow on Sunday accused Kiev of shelling the Russian-occupied eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, killing 27 people. Ukraine’s military said Russia was responsible for the attack.

The U.S. Pentagon announced its final tranche of security assistance to Ukraine on December 27 last year, which was worth $250 million and included 155mm artillery shells, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, and other high-demand items drawn from existing U.S. stockpiles. After that, the U.S. is unable to provide additional arms aid because funds to replenish those stockpiles have been exhausted and Congress has not approved more funding.

On Tuesday, the United States will once again host a regular meeting of about 50 countries to support Ukraine. While waiting for Congress to pass a budget and possibly approve more funds to support Ukraine, the United States will seek allies to continue to fill the gap.

Sabrina Singh, deputy Pentagon press secretary, told reporters on Monday that Tuesday’s meeting will focus on long-term needs. “While we are unable to provide (Ukraine) security assistance now, our partners are continuing to do so,” Singer said.

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