A devastating Russian attack on the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil overnight has left nine people dead and dozens more injured, marking one of the deadliest strikes the city has suffered since the start of the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the casualties in a statement shared on social media, calling the assault another tragic reminder of Russia’s escalating campaign against civilian areas.
Zelensky reported that several residential nine-storey buildings were directly hit during the Russian attack, causing widespread destruction and trapping residents under the debris. “Dozens of people are known to have been injured and, sadly, nine people have died,” the president wrote. He also shared photos and videos from the scene, which showed towering apartment blocks reduced to rubble, shattered windows, and thick smoke rising from the wreckage.
The images revealed the severe impact on families who were asleep in their homes when the missiles struck. Rescue workers could be seen combing through the debris, searching for survivors and attempting to reach those believed to be trapped under collapsed structures. “People may be trapped under the rubble,” Zelensky warned, stressing that emergency workers were still assessing the full extent of the damage.
Russian Attack Intensifies as Moscow Escalates Drone and Missile Strikes
The deadly Russian attack on Ternopil was part of a much larger overnight assault across multiple regions of Ukraine. According to Zelensky, Russia launched over 470 strike drones and 48 missiles of various types during the latest wave of bombardments. This large-scale offensive aligns with Moscow’s recent strategy of intensifying pressure as winter approaches, targeting infrastructure and densely populated residential areas to weaken Ukraine’s resilience.
Ternopil, located far from the traditional frontlines, has been hit before but rarely with such lethal force. The city, known for its relative calm earlier in the conflict, has seen a rise in strikes as Russia expands its targets to areas previously considered safer for displaced families and civilians.
Local authorities in Ternopil described scenes of chaos and devastation following the Russian attack. Emergency sirens blared throughout the night, residents scrambled to shelters, and entire neighbourhoods were left without electricity as energy facilities were also struck. The force of the explosions damaged buildings several blocks away from the targeted sites, leaving streets littered with twisted metal, broken concrete, and shattered glass.
This strike follows a pattern of Moscow increasing its drone and missile operations against Ukraine’s energy network, an approach aimed at leaving cities vulnerable during the harsh winter months. By targeting power stations, heating infrastructure, and residential buildings, Russia appears to be renewing efforts to exert maximum pressure on civilians during a critical time of year.
Kharkiv in the northeast and Ivano-Frankivsk in the west were also affected by Russia’s overnight offensive. Authorities confirmed that multiple people were injured in both regions, though no immediate fatalities were reported there. These attacks further underline the widespread nature of the coordinated assault and the growing unpredictability of Russia’s strikes.
As rescue teams in Ternopil worked through the morning hours, officials warned that the death toll from the Russian attack could rise. With families still missing and portions of apartment buildings completely collapsed, the next few hours were considered critical for locating survivors.
Ukraine’s State Emergency Service deployed dozens of workers, search dogs, cranes, and specialised equipment to clear debris and reach confined spaces. Volunteers also joined the effort, providing food, water, blankets, and medical supplies to displaced residents standing in the cold near what remained of their homes.
Zelensky praised the swift response but emphasised the urgent need for international support to help Ukraine withstand the increasing waves of attacks. “Russia continues to terrorise our cities and our people,” he said, calling for stronger air defence systems capable of intercepting the drones and missiles that continue to rain down on civilian areas.
Humanitarian organisations have also raised alarms, noting that the Russian attack on Ternopil highlights a broader trend of Russian forces striking deep inside Ukraine with little regard for civilian life. They warned that as winter begins, the humanitarian situation is likely to worsen rapidly unless Ukraine receives additional international aid to repair energy systems and support displaced families.
For Ternopil, the Russian attack marks one of the darkest moments of the war. Families mourn the lives lost, while many residents grapple with the reality that even cities far from the frontlines are no longer safe. As Ukraine braces for further assaults, the country’s resilience will once again be put to the test.
Source- EWN
