Photo: Pavlo Pakhomenko / NurPhoto / Getty Images
On the night of March 7, Russian troops launched a large-scale offensive strike with missiles and drones across Ukraine. According to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russia launched 480 drones, two hypersonic missiles, 13 ballistic missiles, and 14 cruise missiles. The main strikes fell on Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zhytomyr, Khmelnitskaya, and Chernovitskaya regions.
Ukrainian air defense forces reported neutralizing 453 drones in an attempt to repel the attack, as well as shooting down eight ballistic missiles and 11 cruise missiles. Nevertheless, it is noted that some missiles hit the target, causing serious damage to civilians and infrastructure.
Missile struck residential building in Kharkiv
It was reported that one of the ballistic missiles hit a multi-story residential building in the Kyiv district of Kharkiv. As a result of the impact, the entrance to the building was destroyed, and the upper floors of the neighboring house were also damaged.
Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov initially stated that the death toll was eight. However, during the search and rescue operations, the bodies of four more people were found, and the death toll reached 11. According to Terekhov, among the victims are a primary school teacher from Lyceum No. 6 and her son, as well as an 8th-grade student from Lyceum No. 16 and her mother.
Heat supply cut off in Kyiv
Kyiv was also hit during the night attack. According to the mayor of the capital, Vitaly Klitschko, 1905 houses in the Pechersk, Dniprovsk, Goloseevsky, and Solomensky districts were left without heat supply due to damage to critical infrastructure. Including houses where heating has not yet been restored, a total of 2,700 houses remain without heat in Kyiv.
Zelenskyy noted strikes on the energy sector
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russian strikes were directed at the energy infrastructure of Kyiv, Khmelnytskyi, and Chernivtsi regions at night. Injuries were also recorded in the Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Vinnytsia, Odessa, Poltava, Sumy, and Cherkasy regions.
Zelenskyy stressed that such strikes "must certainly have a response from partners," and support should not be interrupted as long as Russia's attempts to destroy homes and critical infrastructure continue.
In conclusion, the strikes carried out on the night of March 7 became another serious test for both civilians and urban infrastructure in Ukraine. The most painful thing is the houses buried in ruins and cold, the lost lives, the broken order of normal life. Now, search and rescue operations, restoration work, and security measures are expected to be intensified.
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