Russian Drone Attack Kills 25 in Ternopil Apartment Strike

A Russian drone and missile attack on an apartment building in the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil resulted in the deaths of at least 25 people, including three children, according to Ukrainian officials. The assault, which occurred overnight, also left approximately 80 others injured as part of a broader offensive in which Russia launched 476 drones and 48 missiles targeting energy and transport infrastructure across Ukraine.

The upper floors of the residential building in Ternopil were severely damaged, with images showing smoke rising as fire crews battled to extinguish the flames. Many residents gathered outside, anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko described the scene on television, stating, “It seems that from the ninth to the first floor, this fiery lava engulfed our people. They did not have time to escape from their flats because everything was on fire.”

As the situation unfolded, Oksana Kobel expressed her hope that her son would be found alive. He was in a ninth-floor apartment during the strike. “I went to work, heard the explosions. I called him and said, ‘Bohdan, go to the shelter, get dressed.’ He answered, ‘Mom, I am already up, everything will be fine,’” she recounted, illustrating the human toll of the attack.

In response to the escalating situation, neighboring Poland, a NATO member state, temporarily closed Rzeszow and Lublin airports in the southeast region and scrambled military aircraft to safeguard its airspace. This defensive move came as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was engaged in diplomatic talks in Turkey aimed at reviving peace negotiations with Russia following his recent discussions in European capitals.

Zelenskiy emphasized the need for increased support from allies to pressure Russia to end its nearly four-year conflict with Ukraine. In a statement on social media, he remarked, “Every brazen attack against ordinary life shows that the pressure on Russia is insufficient. Effective sanctions and assistance to Ukraine can change this.”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced plans to address the recent violence at the upcoming UN Security Council meeting, stating that Ukraine would “bring Russia’s horrific murder to the spotlight.”

The assault also had widespread implications for energy infrastructure, with damage reported in seven Ukrainian regions. Authorities implemented restrictions on power usage nationwide, coinciding with frigid winter temperatures. A witness in the western city of Lviv reported hearing explosions, while the northwestern city of Kharkiv also came under fire. Residents in Kyiv sought refuge in metro stations, highlighting the pervasive fear and uncertainty.

While Russia denies deliberately targeting civilians, it claimed the strikes were in retaliation for what it described as “terrorist attacks” on its territories. Russian officials reported that Ukrainian forces had launched four US-made ATACMS missiles at the southern city of Voronezh. In contrast, Ukraine’s military confirmed it had targeted military sites within Russia using these missiles.

As the situation continues to evolve, the humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict remains a critical concern, with families torn apart and communities devastated by the violence. The international community watches closely as both nations navigate this troubling chapter in their history.