President Joe Biden recently authorized Kyiv to use long-range American missiles inside Russia following one of Moscow's largest aerial assaults on Ukraine in months. The southern city of Odesa bore the brunt of the attacks, resulting in at least eight fatalities and 39 injuries. These strikes, which also targeted major cities like Dnipro, Rivne, and Kyiv, caused blackouts and extensive damage.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that approximately 120 missiles and 90 drones were launched by Russia overnight, with Ukrainian defense forces successfully neutralizing over 140 aerial threats. This onslaught is reminiscent of a similar attack on August 28, when Russia unleashed 127 missiles and 109 attack drones on Ukraine.
The aftermath of the recent attacks has left hospitals in Odesa reliant on generators for power, as Ukrainian energy company DTEK reported severe damage to its thermal power plants. Russia's repeated targeting of Ukraine's energy infrastructure has led to rolling blackouts since the full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The intensification of bombardments in recent months has left Ukraine in a precarious position as it enters its third winter of conflict. The ongoing war continues to exact a heavy toll on the country, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence and destruction.
