Russia's overnight attacks batter western Ukraine cities
At least two people were killed and 18 injured, The Kyiv Independent reported. Multiple explosions were heard in the cities of Lutsk, Lviv, Chernivtsi, Kharkiv, and Sumy.
In Chernivtsi, a 26-year-old woman and a 43-year-old man were killed by falling debris, Ruslan Zaparnyuk, head of the Chernivtsi Military Administration, reported. A total of 14 people were injured in the region, including four in serious condition.
Several residential buildings, shops, administrative buildings, and vehicles were damaged in Chernivtsi, Zaparnyuk added.
In Lviv, a fire broke out on the roof of a non-residential building in the Zaliznychnyi district, reported Mayor Andrii Sadovyi. Several residential and industrial buildings, vehicles, and a kindergarten were hit in the city.
Maksym Kozytsky, head of the Lviv Military Administration, stated that four people were injured in the attack; one was hospitalized, and three others received medical care on site.
Lutsk also saw damage to a home and a vehicle in the attack, reported the city's mayor, Ihor Polishchuk. No one was injured during the attack.
It remains unclear whether Russia targeted or hit military or strategic targets in the attack, as Ukrainian authorities generally do not disclose such information for security reasons. This makes full verification of casualties and damages impossible.
Local officials also reported drones approaching the Lviv, Ternopil, and Volyn regions in the early hours of Saturday, July 12, and the Ukrainian Air Force warned of dozens of attack drones heading towards areas along the country's western border.
The Polish Air Force stated on X that the country scrambled fighter jets to protect Polish airspace following the attack. Air raid alerts in Ukraine were lifted in all regions, except for those near the front line, around 05:30.
"The pace of Russia's air attacks demands quick decisions, which means enacting sanctions right now. Harsh secondary sanctions are needed against all who help 'Russians' produce drones and profit from oil. More air defense systems and investments in interceptor drones, which are already showing good results, are necessary. The war can only be stopped by force. We expect not just signals from partners, but actions that will save lives," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram.
According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 26 cruise missiles and 597 drones were launched overnight, more than half of which were Shahed. Over 20 missiles and most of the attack drones were neutralized.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
