Russia intensified its military campaign against Ukraine with extensive drone and missile strikes, marking the fourth major attack in just one month. On the night of the attack, which occurred on June 29, 2023, at least two individuals were killed in Chernivtsi, a city located near the Romanian border. The assault involved the launch of a staggering 597 drones and 26 missiles, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. In addition to the fatalities, the attacks left at least 20 others wounded and caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure across various regions.
Ukrainian air defense forces reported that they successfully intercepted 25 missiles and 319 Shahed drones, while also employing electronic warfare tactics to jam 258 other drones. President Zelenskiy emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The pace of Russia’s aerial strikes demands swift decisions – and it can be curbed now by sanctions.” He urged for more stringent sanctions against Russia and additional air defense support for Ukraine, emphasizing that “this war can only be stopped through strength.”
Impact on Civilians and Infrastructure
This attack is part of a troubling trend, with Russia significantly increasing its use of drones and missiles since June. The UN Human Rights monitoring mission in Ukraine reported that June 2023 witnessed the highest monthly civilian casualties in three years, with 232 killed and 1,343 injured. The cities of Lviv, Lutsk, and Chernivtsi experienced the brunt of the overnight assault.
In Chernivtsi, Governor Ruslan Zaparaniuk confirmed the deaths of a 26-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man, while 14 others sustained injuries. The strikes triggered multiple fires and resulted in damage to both residential and administrative buildings.
Lviv, located near Ukraine’s border with Poland, also suffered significant damage. The city’s mayor reported that the attack impacted 46 residential houses, a university building, and several courts, alongside damaging approximately 20 buildings that housed small and medium-sized businesses.
Residents shared harrowing accounts of the destruction. Oleh Sidorov, a 64-year-old Lviv resident, described the chaos: “Windows and doors were blown out. Curtains fell, and the TV set was hurled. The apartment is covered in glass shards. It is horrible. I want to clean the apartment. But I do not know how I will sleep during the night; there is no window.”
The ongoing hostilities continue to have a profound impact on civilian life, highlighting the urgent need for international support and a resolution to the conflict. As the situation evolves, the international community is watching closely, with calls for decisive action to address the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
