A Russian ballistic missile struck a residential building in Kryvyi Rih on Tuesday, killing at least one person and injuring 11 others. The attack targeted a four-story residential complex with 32 apartments, according to Oleksandr Vilkul, the head of the city’s military administration.
“The monsters directly struck a four-story residential complex with 32 apartments,” Vilkul wrote on Telegram. Rescuers are still searching through the rubble for survivors, as shown in photos posted by Governor Serhiy Lysak. “There may still be people under the debris,” he added more than two hours after the strike.
Ukraine’s Human Rights Commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, condemned the strike, emphasizing its timing during the global celebration of Christmas. “While other countries around the world are celebrating Christmas, Ukrainians continue to suffer from endless Russian attacks,” Lubinets wrote on Telegram.
Intensified Russian Aggression and Strategic Moves
The southern outskirts of Kryvyi Rih, a steelmaking city and the hometown of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have frequently been targeted during the war. Located about 65 kilometers from the nearest Russian-occupied area, the city has experienced repeated missile strikes. Russia claims it does not intentionally target civilians, though thousands have been killed since the invasion began in 2022.
In the Kherson region, Russia is attempting to establish a bridgehead on the western bank of the Dnipro River, according to Ukraine’s military. Although there is no immediate threat of an assault on Kherson, Ukraine remains vigilant against possible large-scale advances. Meanwhile, Russian forces reportedly made incremental progress in the Donetsk region.
Ukraine announced that Russia launched 60 drones in an overnight attack from Monday into Tuesday. Of these, 36 were shot down, while 23 were blocked using electronic warfare measures. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that its air defense systems intercepted drones over eight regions.
Global Support Bolsters Ukraine Amid Escalation
Russia’s relentless strikes aim to weaken Ukraine’s air defenses and disrupt critical infrastructure, as evidenced by nearly daily drone attacks in recent months. To counter this, the United States has allocated over $250 million to boost Ukraine’s missile production, and Italy has pledged continued military support through 2025.
Additionally, Ukraine received $1 billion from the UK and Japan through the World Bank DPL program. These funds are earmarked for social, humanitarian, and economic purposes rather than military needs, reflecting a broader international effort to support Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict.