At least four people were killed and over 60 injured on Tuesday, January 23, as Russia launched 41 missiles at northern and eastern Ukraine. The attack caused devastation in several cities, with Kharkiv mayor, Oleh Syniehubov, confirming the death toll and the number of injuries. The impact of the attack on residential areas, including damage to buildings and interruption of essential services, was felt in Kharkiv and Kyiv.
In Kharkiv, Governor Oleh Syniehubov revealed that four people had lost their lives, including children, and 42 others were injured in multiple missile strikes. The city’s mayor, Ihor Terekhov, reported damage to at least 30 residential buildings, with widespread disruptions to electricity and gas supplies. Warmer areas were set up in response to the loss of essential services. The damage was described as “complete destruction” by Terekhov, as videos and photos showed the collapsed facade of an apartment building.
In the capital city of Kyiv, Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko confirmed that 20 people were injured, including 13 in intensive care, following the missile strikes. Reports of injuries and damage also surfaced from Sumy and Dnipro oblasts. Ukraine’s armed forces detailed the nature of the attack, citing the firing of a mix of missiles from aircraft and ground positions inside Russia.
The assault drew a swift response from Ukraine’s armed forces, which declared that 41 missiles, ranging from air defense to ballistic and cruise missiles, had been fired by Moscow. The armed forces reported that 21 missiles were intercepted, preventing further casualties. The extensive damage and casualties caused by the attack highlight the ongoing tensions and conflict in the region, raising concerns about the potential for further escalation and civilian casualties. The impact of the attack is likely to deepen the existing humanitarian crisis and further strain diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Russia.