Russia launches large-scale missile and drone attacks across Ukraine... 6 dead

81 Missiles and 8 Suicide Drones Launched at 10 Areas Including Kyiv

On the 9th (local time), Russia launched a large-scale airstrike on various parts of Ukraine with nearly 90 missiles and suicide drones. Amid fierce battles in the key frontline area of Bakhmut, this is interpreted as a strategy to break morale through airstrikes on rear areas of Ukraine.

On the 9th (local time), a photo taken in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine shows flames emitted from a missile launched by Russian forces in the Belgorod region of Russia.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to foreign media including the AP News, the main targets of this airstrike were energy infrastructure in 10 regions, including the capital Kyiv, Ukraine's second-largest city Kharkiv, and the Black Sea port city Odesa.

The Ukrainian military stated that on this day, Russian forces launched 81 missiles, including six hypersonic missiles "Kinzhal," and eight suicide drones. Ukraine's air defense intercepted 34 cruise missiles and four suicide drones, but the remaining missiles caused five deaths in western Lviv and one death in southeastern Dnipropetrovsk.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that at least two people were injured in Kyiv, and heating was cut off in 40% of the city area. Kharkiv Governor Oleh Syniehubov said that Kharkiv city was attacked by 15 S-300 ballistic missiles, which could not be stopped by Ukraine's air defense system.

Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said, "This was the first large-scale attack using a very diverse mix of missiles. There has never been such an attack before."

As major energy facilities were damaged by the airstrike, power supply for the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is under Russian occupation, was also cut off. Power supply to the nuclear plant is essential for maintaining safety. If power is not supplied to the cooling system inside the plant, reactor overheating can cause a meltdown of the nuclear fuel rod bundles, leading to a serious accident with radioactive material leakage. Ukraine's state nuclear company Energoatom reported that emergency diesel generators are operating at the Zaporizhzhia plant, with a ten-day supply of diesel fuel secured.

Accordingly, electricity supply is being restricted across Ukraine. The state power company Ukrenergo announced that nationwide electricity supply is being limited to prevent further damage to power facilities caused by the airstrike, and power outages may be prolonged in three regions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned, "The enemy has resorted to a pathetic tactic of launching 81 missiles to threaten Ukrainians. All they can do is terrorize civilians." He added, "This will not help them. They cannot escape responsibility for everything they have done."