Russia Launches Overnight Missile and Drone Strikes on Western Ukraine, Killing Two in Chernivtsi
KYIV: Russia carried out a large-scale overnight missile and drone attack on western Ukraine early Saturday, killing at least two civilians in Chernivtsi, near the Romanian border, and damaging key infrastructure across multiple cities.
According to Ukrainian officials, the cities of Lviv, Lutsk, and Chernivtsi bore the brunt of the assault, while other regions also came under fire in one of the most intense barrages in recent weeks.
“Russia continues to escalate its terror, launching another barrage of hundreds of drones and missiles,” said Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha on social media platform X.
He added, “Residential areas have been hit, civilians have been killed or injured. This poses a threat not only to Ukraine but to the entire transatlantic community.”
🚨 Casualties and Damage in Chernivtsi
The Chernivtsi region, located just 40 kilometers from the Romanian border, saw significant devastation.
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Two people were confirmed dead
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14 others were injured, according to Governor Ruslan Zaparaniuk
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Russian drones and missiles sparked multiple fires across the city
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Residential homes and administrative buildings were heavily damaged
Authorities are continuing rescue operations and damage assessments.
🏙️ Lviv Suffers Widespread Infrastructure Damage
In Lviv, a city close to Ukraine’s border with Poland, Mayor Andriy Sadovyi reported that:
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46 residential houses were damaged
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A university building, city courts, and nearly 20 business properties sustained serious destruction
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Emergency services are working around the clock to restore essential services
🌍 Global Concerns Rise Over Escalation
The fresh wave of attacks has prompted renewed calls for stronger sanctions on Russia and increased international support for Ukraine’s defense systems.
Ukrainian officials are urging the international community, particularly NATO members, to take immediate steps to counter the growing scale of Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure.
“Russia’s war machine produces hundreds of means of terror per day,” Sybiha warned. “Its scale now threatens not just Ukraine, but all of Europe.”
🔎 Ongoing Developments
This latest escalation underscores the widening geographical scope of the conflict and highlights Ukraine’s urgent need for air defense reinforcements.
The Ukrainian government is expected to hold high-level discussions with allies in the coming days regarding additional support and countermeasures.
