Russia fires over 70 missiles, 450 drones at Ukraine; iconic Soviet-era World War II memorial damaged

Russia launched attack on Ukraine on Tuesday.

Russia renewed strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure early Tuesday, firing over 70 missiles and 450 drones, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. More than 1,000 residential buildings in Kyiv were left without heating as temperatures plunged to nearly minus 20 degrees Celsius.The overnight attack damaged part of an iconic Soviet-era World War II memorial, the Motherland monument, in Kyiv, Ukraine’s culture minister said. “It is both symbolic and cynical: the aggressor state strikes at a place of remembrance of the struggle against aggression in the 20th century, repeating its crimes in the 21st century,” Tetyana Berezhna wrote on social media.

Zelenskyy said recovery work was under way across multiple regions following the attacks, which he described as a deliberate strike on energy facilities.In a post on X, Zelenskyy said Russia used a large number of ballistic missiles along with other missiles — more than 70 in total — and around 450 attack drones. The strikes hit the Sumy and Kharkiv regions, the Kyiv region and the capital, as well as Dnipro, Odesa and Vinnytsia regions.He said, “Recovery efforts following the Russian strike across our regions are ongoing. Once again, there was a targeted attack specifically on energy facilities – the Russians used a significant number of ballistic missiles in combination with other missiles, more than 70 missiles in total, as well as 450 attack drones. The strikes hit Sumy and Kharkiv regions, Kyiv region and the capital, as well as Dnipro, Odesa, and Vinnytsia regions. As of now, nine people have been reported injured as a result of the attack. There is damage to ordinary residential buildings and energy infrastructure. In Kyiv, drone strikes caused fires in high-rises and damaged a kindergarten. All necessary services have been deployed wherever possible.”“Taking advantage of the coldest days of winter to terrorize people is more important to Russia than turning to diplomacy. And this very clearly shows what is needed from our partners and what can help. Timely delivery of missiles for air defense systems and the protection of normal life are our priority. Without pressure on Russia, there will be no end to this war. Right now, Moscow is choosing terror and escalation, and that is why maximum pressure is required. I thank all our partners who understand this and are helping us,” he added.

At least nine people were reported injured, with damage recorded to residential buildings and energy infrastructure. In Kyiv, drone strikes sparked fires in high-rise buildings and damaged a kindergarten, he said, adding that emergency and recovery services had been deployed.Zelenskyy accused Moscow of exploiting the coldest days of winter to intensify attacks instead of pursuing diplomacy. He said Ukraine urgently needed timely delivery of air defence missiles and greater international pressure on Russia, warning that without sustained pressure, the war would continue.