Largest Russian Bombardment Yet Claims Lives of at Least 30 in Ukraine Conflict

Ukraine has reported that at least 30 people were killed in what they believe to be Russia's largest missile attack of the war. The attack occurred in the early hours of Friday morning, targeting several cities including Kyiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Lviv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia used a wide range of weapons, hitting homes and even a maternity hospital. This attack involved hypersonic, cruise, and ballistic missiles, and included the use of X-22 type missiles, which are difficult to intercept. Despite recent improvements in Kyiv's air defenses, they were overwhelmed on Friday. Ukrainian Air Force officials reported that they had never seen so many missiles launched at once, though they were able to successfully shoot down a significant number of them. The devastation caused by the missile strikes was evident, with warehouses and buildings completely destroyed and significant loss of life. Several cities across Ukraine, including Lviv and Kharkiv, were targeted, resulting in more casualties and destruction. The UN's humanitarian envoy for Ukraine described the attacks as a path of destruction and suffering, emphasizing the horrifying reality faced by the Ukrainian people. The motive behind Russia's decision to launch this attack is not entirely clear, but it may be seen as retaliation or a continued effort to weaken Ukraine's resolve. US President Joe Biden condemned the attack and expressed the need to stop Putin's objective of obliterating Ukraine and subjugating its people. Ukraine has been able to defend against previous drone and missile attacks, but the ability to continue doing so remains uncertain.