Ukraine has accused Russia of escalating what officials describe as a campaign of “aerial terror,” as waves of missile and drone strikes continue to hit Ukrainian cities in what appears to be a new phase of the war.
Over the past week, Russia has launched massive overnight aerial attacks targeting critical infrastructure, power plants, and urban centers, according to Ukrainian authorities. Cities including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Lviv have reported repeated strikes causing power outages, injuries, and widespread damage.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks and said the new wave of strikes is designed to spread fear and inflict long-term damage on the country’s energy and industrial systems.
Ukrainian Defenses Strained
Ukraine’s air defense systems, largely supplied by Western allies, have intercepted many of the incoming threats but are increasingly strained under the frequency and scale of the assaults. Ukrainian officials say Russia is using a combination of cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and Iranian-made Shahed drones to overwhelm the country’s air defenses.
The head of Ukraine’s air force called the strategy a form of “aerial terrorism” intended to exhaust ammunition supplies and pressure civilians.
Civilian Impact and Casualties
Authorities report that several civilians have been injured or displaced as residential areas have also been affected. Emergency crews have been working around the clock to extinguish fires and restore basic services in targeted zones.
In Kyiv, explosions rocked several districts during the night, prompting temporary blackouts and disrupting metro services. In Kharkiv, at least five apartment buildings were damaged, though no deaths were immediately reported.
Western Response
The escalation in Russian airstrikes has prompted fresh calls for additional Western military aid, particularly air defense systems, interceptors, and advanced radar. Ukrainian officials say more support is critical as the country heads into the summer months, a period that may see intensified conflict.
The United States, United Kingdom, and several EU countries have condemned the attacks and reaffirmed their support for Ukraine. However, delays in weapons deliveries remain a concern in Kyiv.
Russia’s Strategy
Analysts say the increased air campaign may signal a shift in Russia’s war strategy aimed at weakening Ukraine’s infrastructure while avoiding large-scale ground advances. Russian state media has described the strikes as targeted operations against military production and logistics sites, though Ukrainian officials dispute those claims.
As the war enters its third year, both sides appear locked in a prolonged and evolving conflict, with Russia turning to aerial dominance and Ukraine relying on resistance, resilience, and foreign military backing to defend its territory.
Source; CNN
