Ukraine suffers new wave of Russian missile strikes: Lviv is the target

Ukraine is under renewed missile attack from Russia after a series of deadly strikes in recent days. The latest wave of attacks has included Russian cruise missiles and drones flying over various regions, from the easternmost areas to Lviv in the west. Reports indicate that residential buildings have been hit in Lviv, and explosions have also been heard in Kryvyi Rih and Kiev, likely due to anti-aircraft systems. The Ukrainian Air Force has urged citizens not to ignore air raid warnings, while in Poland, warplanes have been deployed to protect NATO airspace if necessary.

This is another major Russian offensive in the past ten days. At least 50 people were killed and more than 270 injured in Poltava after rockets fired from occupied Crimea targeted a military institute and a nearby medical facility. The attack prompted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to call for accelerated military aid and permission to use the supplied weapons against Russian territory.

The Poltava attack, which killed 50 people, was condemned by US President Joe Biden, who reiterated Washington’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s air defenses. Ukrainian President Zelensky was visited by Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The visit follows a series of Russian strikes that recently forced the shutdown of Ukraine’s nuclear fleet, exposing the plants to the risk of accidents. He is also due to inspect the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, which is currently under Russian control. Grossi said he was concerned about the “very unstable” situation at the plant and the risk of a nuclear disaster.

During his visit, Mr. Grossi agreed with Mr. Zelensky to provide Ukraine with technical support and safety advice for the deployment of nuclear reactors from the unrealized Bulgarian Belene project at the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant. The IAEA has committed to assist Ukraine in purchasing these reactors.

In Lviv, a Russian missile and drone attack injured 17 people, including children aged 10 and 15, and claimed the lives of two people. According to the governor of the region, five of the injured are in serious condition. The attack also led to the cancellation of classes at some schools and disruptions to train schedules due to an impact near the train station. UNIAN news agency reports that 15 patients were hospitalized as a result of the strikes.

Over the past week, Russian forces have targeted several Ukrainian cities, focusing on energy infrastructure and civilian objects. On Friday and Sunday, missile strikes hit an apartment building, a gym and a shopping mall in Kharkiv. The escalation of attacks has intensified calls from Ukrainian leaders for increased international military support.