Dnipro, Odesa, and six other regions are under attack following an overnight assault by Russia
Last night, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine, deploying over 500 drones and dozens of missiles. Dnipro, Odesa, and several other regions were targeted, resulting in the destruction of residential buildings, damage to energy infrastructure, and dozens of injuries, including children, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported.
The Russian army launched one of the largest strikes on Ukraine in recent times overnight. The attack lasted over six hours, with civilian infrastructure, residential buildings, and energy facilities in various regions of the country serving as the main targets.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on the consequences of the shelling. According to him, Russia deployed a total of 524 attack drones and 22 missiles of various types, including ballistic and cruise missiles. The situation was most severe in Dnipro and the surrounding region, where a rocket strike damaged a high-rise building. Other civilian facilities and energy infrastructure also sustained serious damage.
The Odesa region was also targeted. One of the Russian drones struck a Chinese-owned vessel. Zelenskyy emphasized that the Russian military knew exactly which ship they were targeting. “The Russians couldn’t have been unaware of which vessel was at sea,” the president stated.
In total, damage was reported in eight regions of Ukraine. As of now, dozens of people are known to have been injured, including children. In many border and frontline communities, air raid sirens continued to sound even after the main wave of the attack had passed.
Despite the difficult situation, rescue workers, medical personnel, and utility services continue to work at the sites of the strikes, clearing debris and assisting people. The President of Ukraine specifically emphasized that Russia is increasingly relying on ballistic missiles to attack civilian cities, and therefore Ukraine and Europe need to further strengthen their air defense. “Europe must have its own anti-ballistic systems and be self-sufficient against these threats,” Zelenskyy stressed.
According to the president, Ukraine will soon work with international partners to strengthen its air defense and acquire new air defense systems. “We repeat once again: we need our own anti-ballistic capabilities and the strengthening of Ukraine’s air defense right now,” the head of state stated.
Combined strike on Dnipro: fires, damaged buildings, and casualties
On the night of May 17, a number of Russian military-industrial complex and energy facilities in Moscow and the Moscow region were struck. Strikes were carried out on an oil depot in Durikino, an oil refinery in Kapotnya, the “Angstrom” microelectronics plant, and the “Raduga” Design Bureau, which develops cruise missiles.
On the morning of May 16, Moscow also came under attack by drones, causing airports in the Russian capital to temporarily suspend operations.
The “ATESH” partisan movement claimed responsibility for a sabotage operation in the Moscow region, which disrupted the functioning of elements of the Russian air defense system on the outskirts of the capital.
