Sun Nov 17 17:29:54 UTC 2024: ## Russia Launches Massive Missile and Drone Attack on Ukraine, Killing at Least Nine

**Kyiv, Ukraine – November 17, 2024** – Russia unleashed a devastating barrage of missiles and drones across Ukraine on Sunday, marking the largest such attack in months and resulting in at least nine civilian deaths. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Moscow launched approximately 120 missiles and nearly 100 drones, targeting major cities and regions across the country, including Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Lviv, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, and Odesa.

The attack, described as “hellish” by Ukrainian officials, caused widespread power outages and widespread damage. Ukraine’s Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ignat claimed that 144 targets were intercepted. The assault comes amidst Russia’s ongoing advance in eastern Ukraine and as fears grow regarding the potential impact of Donald Trump’s impending return to the White House on continued US support for Kyiv.

Ukrainian officials condemned the attack, linking it directly to recent diplomatic overtures to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga characterized it as Putin’s response to international dialogue, emphasizing the need for “peace through strength.” While German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended his recent call with Putin, asserting unwavering support for Ukraine, criticism emerged from other quarters, including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who argued that phone calls cannot replace substantial Western aid.

The attack resulted in casualties across multiple regions. Among the reported fatalities were two employees of the state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia, a 51-year-old woman in Kherson, two women in Mykolaiv, and two individuals in the Odesa region. A 66-year-old woman was also killed in Lviv, prompting Poland to increase its military alert level. Russia, while claiming to have targeted military infrastructure, acknowledged the death of a local journalist in the Kursk region due to a reported Ukrainian drone strike.

The massive attack exacerbated Ukraine’s existing energy crisis, further jeopardizing the nation’s ability to withstand the approaching winter. Kyiv has reiterated its urgent appeal to Western allies for increased energy grid support and advanced air defense systems. Concerns are mounting in Ukraine about the potential reduction of Western aid under a Trump administration.

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