According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Russian strikes were intended to destroy Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Ukraine: On October 10, Russian forces launched a barrage of deadly bombs across Ukraine, and President Vladimir Putin vowed even more “severe” retaliation against Kiev.
At least 11 people were killed in the largest wave of strikes in Ukraine in months, in apparent retaliation for an explosion this weekend that damaged a key bridge connecting Russia to the Moscow-annexed Crimean peninsula.
According to the Ukrainian military, Russian forces fired more than 80 missiles on cities throughout the country, and Russia also used Iranian drones launched from neighboring Belarus.
“Let there be no doubt,” Mr. Putin said in televised remarks to his security council, “if terrorist attacks continue, Russia will respond severely.”
Mr. Putin’s predecessor, Dmitry Medvedev warned on social media that the strikes, which disrupted water and electricity services across Ukraine, were only the “first episode.”
“We were sleeping when the first explosion occurred. We awoke, went to check, and then there was another explosion. “According to Ksenia Ryazantseva, a 39-year-old language teacher,
“Let there be no doubt,” Mr. Putin said in televised remarks to his security council, “if terrorist attacks continue, Russia will respond severely.”
Mr. Putin’s predecessor, Dmitry Medvedev warned on social media that the strikes, which disrupted water and electricity services across Ukraine, were only the “first episode.”
“We were sleeping when the first explosion occurred. We awoke, went to check, and then there was another explosion. “According to Ksenia Ryazantseva, a 39-year-old language teacher,
Meanwhile, Russia’s defense ministry confirmed that it had targeted Ukrainian energy, military command, and communications facilities, claiming that the strikes were successful and “achieved their aims.”
Ukraine’s foreign minister stated that the attacks were not “provoked” and that the onslaught was Moscow’s reaction to a series of humiliating military losses in eastern Ukraine.
“Mr. Putin is desperate as a result of battlefield defeats and uses missile terror to try to change the pace of war in his favor,” Dmytro Kuleba, a minister, wrote on social media.
According to Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, the Russian missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and other cities are “unacceptable.”
“This is a display of weakness, not strength, by Mr. Putin,” he tweeted, adding that he had contacted Kuleba.
Meanwhile, Mr. Zelenskyy announced on social media that he had spoken with the leaders of France and Germany, urging them to “increase pressure” on Russia.
According to the national police service in Kyiv, at least 11 people were killed, and another 64 were injured.
According to Ukrainian officials, the central Shevkenko district of the city was hit, causing damage to a university, museums, and the philharmonic building.
According to an AFP journalist in Kyiv, a projectile landed near a playground, and smoke rose from a large crater at the impact site.
The blast charred several trees and benches nearby, and several ambulances were on the scene.
“It’s better not to go to the city today if there is no urgent need,” Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
Mayor Andriy Sadovyi of the western city of Lviv reported disruptions in electricity and hot water services due to bombings that targeted critical infrastructure, including energy facilities.
According to AFP photographers on the ground, plumes of black smoke could be seen rising above the town’s skyline.
Moldova, a pro-democracy former Soviet republic, said several Russian cruise missiles aimed at Ukraine had crossed its airspace, prompting it to summon Moscow’s envoy for an explanation.
“Our hearts go out to the victims of the brutal strikes,” Moldovan Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu tweeted.
Moldova, a candidate for EU membership, has a small breakaway region, Transnistria, which is armed and supported by Russia.
Meanwhile, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close Putin ally, claimed on Monday that Ukraine was planning an attack on his country’s territory.
He stated that Russia and Belarus would “deploy” troops together but did not specify where.
The autocratic leader also accused Ukraine and neighboring Poland and Lithuania of training Belarusian militants for domestic attacks.
The Ukrainian strikes came a day after Moscow blamed Kyiv for a blast that damaged a bridge connecting Crimea to Russia, killing three people.
“The authors, perpetrators, and sponsors of Saturday’s bridge bombing are the Ukrainian secret services,” Mr. Putin said of the “terrorist act.”
The explosion on the bridge sparked social media celebrations among Ukrainians and others.
However, Mr. Zelenskyy did not directly mention the incident in his nightly address on Saturday, and Kyiv officials have made no direct claim of responsibility.
On Saturday, Russia announced that road and rail traffic over the strategic link, a symbol of the Kremlin’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, had resumed.
The 19-kilometer (12-mile) bridge also serves as an important supply route between Russia and the annexed Crimean peninsula.
Some military analysts believe the explosion will have a significant impact if Moscow decides to shift troops from other regions to Crimea — or if residents rush to leave.
