KYIV: In a chilling escalation of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, a missile strike on an apartment block in the western city of Lviv, Ukraine has claimed the lives of four innocent civilians.
The relentless assault on civilian infrastructure deemed the most severe since the commencement of Russia’s invasion, and it has sent shockwaves throughout the region.
While the people of Ukraine have tragically grown accustomed to the relentless bombardment of missiles, artillery, and unmanned aerial vehicles by Russia, the serene province of Lviv, nestled hundreds of kilometres away from the frontlines and adjacent to the Polish border, has largely remained untouched by the aerial onslaughts, according to Arab News.
Ukraine’s Interior Minister, Igor Klymenko, took to Telegram to report the harrowing incident: “An apartment building fell victim to a Russian missile attack,” he lamented. “Two sections of the structure, encompassing the 3rd and 4th floors, have been decimated… As of 7:00 am, four lives have been lost, and nine individuals have sustained injuries,” he added.
With unwavering resolve, rescue teams tirelessly laboured to extricate those trapped beneath the rubble. Their valiant efforts mirrored the indomitable spirit of a city shaken to its core.
Mayor Andriy Sadovyi, utilizing the power of social media, relayed the grim reality of the situation through a sombre Telegram post. Over 50 apartments were reduced to ruins, and even the hallowed halls of Lviv Polytechnic University’s dormitory fell prey to the devastating onslaught.
Mayor Sadovyi left no room for doubt as he solemnly declared, “This is unequivocally the most egregious attack on Lviv’s civilian infrastructure since the onset of Russia’s invasion.”
Zelensky shares video after missile strike
In a plea for justice, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared a video on Telegram depicting the catastrophic aftermath of the assault. Alongside the footage, he inscribed words of resolute defiance: “The repercussions of the nocturnal aggression orchestrated by Russian terrorists. Rest assured, a response to our adversaries shall be delivered—a response that will resonate.”
As the dust settled, questions lingered regarding the precise number of missiles launched during this horrifying onslaught. Maksym Kozytski, the region’s governor, shed some light on the matter, divulging that “several” missiles were observed heading towards the western regions, according to intelligence from Ukraine’s Air Force Command.
In a video shared by Governor Kozytski, a high-rise building was depicted, its top floor ravaged and its once-sturdy structure now marred by destruction. Emergency services swiftly descended upon the scene, their dedicated rescuers sifting through the debris, searching for signs of life amidst the chaos. “We are relentlessly dismantling the rubble, doing everything in our power to preserve lives,” Kozytski affirmed, his voice resonating with determination.
Though unverified, chilling videos circulating on Telegram claim to capture the grim aftermath of the strike. Shattered glass covers the floor, reminiscent of a macabre mosaic, possibly within a university dormitory. The authenticity and context of these recordings remain uncertain, yet their haunting portrayal underscores the devastating toll of this attack.
Lviv, already scarred by a major Russian drone assault on Kyiv and other cities just weeks prior, finds itself on the front lines once again. To counter the incessant aggression, Ukraine has fortified its air defence systems with state-of-the-art weaponry sourced from Western allies.
While these enhancements have stemmed the tide of Russian missiles and drones infiltrating Ukrainian airspace, Yuriy Ignat, spokesperson for Ukraine’s air force, recently admitted in a candid television interview that the newly acquired systems still fall short of providing comprehensive coverage for the entire nation.
