Early this morning, Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine, resulting in at least two fatalities and 37 injuries in kyiv. Russia's Ministry of Defense stated the strikes were in retaliation for Ukraine's attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure the previous night. The ministry claimed the operation achieved its objectives, with all targets hit.
Ukraine's air force command reported that Russia attacked the country with 596 suicide and decoy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), 5 hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, 4 ballistic Iskander-M missiles, 23 cruise Iskander-K and Kh-101 missiles, and 4 tactical cruise Kh-59/69 munitions. The main target area was kyiv province.
Ukrainian air defense units successfully intercepted 558 UAVs, one Kinzhal missile, 4 Iskander-M munitions, 12 Kh-101 and Iskander-K missiles, and two Kh-59/69 munitions. Despite these efforts, missiles and 35 UAVs struck 22 locations, with debris falling in 17 areas.
Russian UAVs attacked targets in kyiv early on 29/11. Video: Trukha News UA
kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko confirmed the casualties and widespread damage across the capital. High-rise apartment buildings in at least 6 districts, including Sviatoshynsky, Dniprovsky, Darnytsky, Shevchenkivsky, and Solomyansky, sustained damage. Several vehicles were also burned or severely damaged.
The attack also severely impacted infrastructure. Vitaliy Zaichenko, CEO of Ukraine's state power company Ukrenergo, reported that power transmission lines were destroyed, leaving nearly half of kyiv without electricity.
These attacks are part of a pattern of reciprocal strikes between Russia and Ukraine, which have frequently targeted each other's energy infrastructure. Both sides accuse the other of striking civilian facilities while claiming to only target military objectives or those supporting defense operations.
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A damaged building after Russia's strike on kyiv, Ukraine, on the morning of 29/11. Photo: AFP
The latest escalation occurs as the US advances efforts to end the conflict with a newly proposed peace plan. The initial draft outlines 28 points, many of which align with Russia's previous demands, such as Ukraine ceding some territory, accepting limits on military size, and ceasing its pursuit of NATO membership.
On 23/11, US, Ukrainian, and European officials met in Switzerland to discuss an updated version of the plan, reporting significant progress. Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged the plan on 27/11, noting that the US was considering Russia's position but indicating that further discussion was needed. He affirmed Russia's readiness for "serious discussions" with a US envoy expected in Moscow next week.
Today, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that a Ukrainian negotiating delegation is en route to the US to discuss the plan.
By Thanh Tam (Based on TASS, Kyiv Independent, and Reuters)
