**Russia’s Aerial Assault on Ukraine Leaves 3 Dead and 70 Injured**
Over the past day, Russian attacks have ravaged Ukraine, claiming at least three lives and injuring a staggering 70 people across various regions. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched an astonishing 108 drones, including Iranian-designed Shahed-type drones, overnight.
**Air Defenses Repel Assault with Combination of Tactics**
While air defenses successfully intercepted 50 drones, another 22 vanished from radars, likely used as decoys to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defense network. The assault was eventually repelled using a combination of electronic warfare units, aviation, anti-aircraft missile systems, and mobile fire groups.
**Regional Breakdown of Attacks**
The attacks were not limited to any particular region. In Kharkiv Oblast, 52 people were injured in total, including 47 in a drone strike against the city of Kharkiv. Governor Oleh Syniehubov revealed that residential neighborhoods were hit, damaging apartment buildings, a hospital, and a school.
**Dozens Wounded Across Ukraine**
In Donetsk Oblast, one person was killed in Shakhove, while six others were wounded in Russian attacks across the region. A massive suicide drone strike claimed one life and injured another in Dnipro, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Six people were injured as Russian forces shelled Kherson Oblast, damaging 10 apartment buildings and nine homes.
**Civilian Infrastructure Hit**
In Sumy Oblast, one person was killed and one injured as civilian infrastructure was hit and destroyed. Artillery strikes on Mykolaiv Oblast wounded a 49-year-old woman and a 51-year-old man. Two people were injured in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, where authorities received 19 reports of damage to homes, apartments, vehicles, and garages.
**Commentary**
The attacks come amidst Moscow’s continued refusal to accept a complete ceasefire agreement. The escalation of strikes targeting civilian areas across Ukraine is a disturbing trend that highlights the need for international pressure on Russia to cease its aggression. As Ukrainian authorities emphasized, “pressure from the United States, from Europe, from everyone in the world who believes there is no place for war on this planet” is crucial.
**Analysis**
The use of Iranian-designed drones by Russia is a worrying development, indicating that Moscow is exploring new tactics to evade air defenses. The attacks also demonstrate the need for Ukraine’s air defense systems to be upgraded and bolstered with international support. As the conflict continues, it is essential for the international community to remain vigilant and united in their condemnation of Russian aggression.
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