Zaporizhzhia: In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Russian forces launched a series of aerial bomb strikes on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia and its surrounding areas on Wednesday, resulting in at least 26 people being injured, regional officials confirmed. The assault, part of ongoing combat operations that have continued more than three years into the conflict, struck residential neighbourhoods, infrastructure facilities, and an educational building, according to the head of the local military administration, Ivan Fedorov.
Authorities said the attacks were conducted with guided glide bombs, precision-capable munitions that have become a persistent threat to civilian areas in the region. Fedorovâs office reported that the wounded included a child, underscoring the profound human toll of the assault on ordinary residents far from front-line combat. Emergency crews were dispatched immediately to clear debris, secure damaged buildings, and assist those injured in the strikes.
The assault hit the regional capital and its outskirts in multiple waves, flattening parts of apartment complexes and disrupting essential services. Rescue operations continued late into the day, as responders worked to ensure that no civilians remained trapped beneath collapsing walls and rubble. Hospitals in the city reported an influx of patients with shrapnel wounds, fractures and shock-related trauma.
Zaporizhzhia has been repeatedly targeted since Russiaâs full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, with waves of aerial attacks, artillery strikes and drone incursions inflicting damage on homes, utilities and community infrastructure. The cityâs proximity to active combat sectors has made it especially vulnerable to such assaults, with previous bombardments similarly injuring civilians and disrupting daily life.
The latest violence comes amid intensified military operations across several Ukrainian regions, reflective of a broader escalation in hostilities this winter. Ukrainian forces continue defensive actions while also attempting localized counter-offensives, particularly around strategic areas like Kupiansk in the northeast a contested urban zone where Kyivâs commanders have recently claimed significant territorial gains, although Russian authorities dispute those assertions.
International reactions to the attack have echoed longstanding condemnations of strikes on civilian populations. Western capitals and Kyivâs partners have repeatedly urged Moscow to halt assaults that endanger non-combatants and violate international humanitarian norms. Despite diplomatic pressures and intermittent calls for ceasefires, the conflictâs trajectory has shown persistent flare-ups on multiple fronts, with Zaporizhzhiaâs civilian population among those bearing the consequences of an enduring war.
As emergency services continue recovery work and officials assess the full extent of the damage, the human impact of the assault remains at the forefront of local concerns particularly as Ukraine braces for further violence during the winter months, when infrastructure vulnerabilities and civilian hardships are compounded by severe weather and limited resources.