VLADIMIR Putin has launched “one of the largest” air attacks of the war so far with 120 missiles and 90 drones being unleashed on Ukraine.
The deadly overnight strikes by Russia targeted “sleeping civilians” and energy infrastructure – causing Polish jets to quickly scramble.
ReutersThe aftermath of a missile strike in Kyiv after Putin’s horror air attack[/caption]
ReutersThe site of a blast in Mykolaiv – one of the worst hit regions – as a firefighter works to put out flames[/caption]
East2WestLviv region was also badly hit[/caption]
President Volodymyr Zelensky labelled Putin’s assault as a massive combined strike on “all regions” of the war-torn country.
It appeared to have targeted energy infrastructure and caused multiple blackouts across the country.
Ukrainian authorities fear Vlad is aiming to wipe out key power networks to cripple the economy as winter approaches.
Cruise, ballistic and aeroballistic missiles were all reportedly launched by the Russian despot.
The drones used also included Iranian-made Shaheds.
Zelensky said his brave troops managed to destroy over 140 of the Russian weapons.
Tragically two women lost their lives with another six injured in the region of Mykolaiv which included two children, the president added.
The hit on the southern Ukrainian city targeted a multi-storey building, car parks and a shopping centre, Ukraine‘s state emergency service said.
Two workers were also found dead following strikes in Ukraine’s central Dnipro region.
Missiles directly hit the local rail depot leaving another three people wounded.
After the first attacks were called in Poland, Ukraine’s Nato neighbour, jumped into action and scrambled a number fighter jets to patrol its own airspace.
Poland’s Operational Command said it was being done as a security precaution and that its staff had reached the “highest state of readiness”.
Romania is also said to have deployed jets of their own.
Several other cities were badly hit in the attacks early on Sunday morning.
Harrowing images from a metro station in the capital of Kyiv shows scared civilians forced to stay underground as air sirens sounded across the city.
People were seen sleeping on the floor and even holding their pets tight as the sounds of blasts pulsated nearby.
Emergency blackouts were also called in Kyiv as well as two other regions in the east
Kyiv’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha described Putin as a “war criminal” for ordering the attacks.
Sybiha said in a statement on X: “Russia launched one of the largest air attacks: drones and missiles against peaceful cities, sleeping civilians, critical infrastructure.
“This is war criminal Putin’s true response to all those who called and visited him recently.
“We need peace through strength, not appeasement.”
The foreign minister made the comments after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called up the Russian tyrant in a widely condemned move.
Zelensky said the call has opened “Pandora’s box” as Germany – a proud Nato nation – has undermined the efforts to stop Putin’s war.
The overnight attacks are believed to be the most damaging and extensive since early September, according to authorities.
They involved around 20 Russian Tu-95MS and Tu-160 strategic bombers.
As they flew overhead conventional Kh-101 and Zircon missiles were dropped on Ukrainian targets.
Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and Russian guided bombs were also recorded, according to Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov.
Ukraine’s heroic air defences included anti-aircraft missile troops and a number of F-16 fighter jets, Zelesnky said.
ReutersMissile traces can be seen over Kyiv after several missile explosions[/caption]
Thousands of Ukrainians were forced to find shelter underground in metro stations in KyivEast2West
