KYIV, Ukraine - Two major Ukrainian cities faced intense Russian missile strikes on Tuesday, resulting in the death of one individual and the injury of dozens. Kharkiv region Governor Oleh Syniehubov confirmed that Russian missile attacks targeted the center of Kharkiv city and other areas, causing one fatality and 41 injuries. Kyiv, the capital, also witnessed strikes in five areas, leading to at least 12 people being injured, as reported by Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
This onslaught is part of Russia's heightened aggression against Ukraine, which commenced on Friday with the largest single attack since the conflict's onset, resulting in the death of at least 41 civilians. The following day, a shelling incident in the Russian border city of Belgorod, attributed to Ukraine by Russian officials, claimed over two dozen lives. Russia has retaliated consistently since then.
The attack on Belgorod stands out as one of the deadliest on Russian soil since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine over 22 months ago, with a reported death toll of 25, including five children, as of Monday. Western Russian cities have been subjected to drone attacks since May, with Ukrainian officials refraining from claiming responsibility for strikes on Russian territory or the Crimean Peninsula. Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin labeling the Belgorod incident a "terrorist act" and accusing Western nations of trying to diminish Russia's standing, he vowed retaliation while emphasizing a focus on Ukrainian military infrastructure.
On Monday, Russia deployed approximately 90 Shahed-type drones across Ukraine. Putin, while accusing Western nations of attempting to undermine Russia through Ukraine, reiterated Russia's commitment to targeting only military infrastructure in Ukraine. However, Ukraine continues to report civilian casualties from daily Russian attacks, impacting residential areas, apartment buildings, and shopping centers in both urban centers and smaller communities. Putin's description of the Belgorod barrage as a terrorist act underscores the growing tensions and the ongoing cycle of violence in the region.