KYIV: A Russian missile strike on Lviv, a city in western Ukraine hundreds of kilometers from the frontlines, killed seven people, including three children, and has wounded 40 others, authorities reported on Wednesday as Moscow claimed advances in the war-torn nation’s east.
The strike on Lviv occurred amid a broader surge in Russian aerial attacks since Ukraine launched a significant cross-border offensive into Russia’s Kursk region last month. The attack on Lviv also follows a devastating strike on the central city of Poltava, which resulted in 53 deaths on Tuesday.
Ukrainian Interior Minister Igor Klymenko confirmed the casualties and stated that search and rescue operations are ongoing. The missile attack inflicted substantial damage to schools, medical facilities, and historic buildings in Lviv’s UNESCO World Heritage site.
Regional head Maksym Kozytsky reported that at least seven “architectural objects of local importance” in Lviv’s historical area were damaged.
Lviv, located near the Polish border, had largely been spared from the intense bombardments that have plagued cities further east. The city’s mayor, Andriy Sadovy, urged residents to take cover as air defences engaged in repelling a barrage of missiles.
Eyewitnesses recounted harrowing scenes following the attack. Yelyzaveta, a 27-year-old Lviv resident, described the chaos: “I heard terrible inhuman screams saying ‘Save us.'” Anastasia Grynko, an internally displaced person from Dnipro, narrowly escaped injury when a rocket hit her residence.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned what he termed “Russian terrorist strikes on Ukrainian cities.” The assault on Lviv was part of a larger coordinated attack on Ukraine, with the Ukrainian Air Force reporting that 13 missiles and 29 drones were launched at various targets. The Air Force managed to down seven missiles and 22 drones.
In the central city of Kryvyi Rig, wreckage from a downed missile caused damage to the Arena hotel, injuring five people. Oleksandr Vilkul, the city’s head, confirmed that the hotel was severely damaged but reported no fatalities.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal has called for enhanced air defence systems and long-range weaponry to counter Russian strikes, noting that current Western-supplied weapons often come with restrictions on their use against targets inside Russia.
The escalation in attacks coincides with Russia’s claim of capturing the village of Karlivka in eastern Ukraine. Karlivka, located about 30 kilometers from the Ukrainian stronghold of Pokrovsk, has been a focal point in Russia’s push to capture the region of Donbas, which includes Donetsk and Lugansk.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Monday that his forces are making significant progress in the Donbas, a claim echoed by recent Russian military reports. This strategic push aims to gain control of critical supply routes and bolster Russia’s position in the ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s government is undergoing a major reshuffle as President Zelensky seeks to enhance wartime efficiency. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba submitted his resignation on Wednesday, following the departure of six other officials, including cabinet ministers, the previous day.
