‘War crime on a massive scale’: 18 dead in Russia’s huge escalation of Ukraine conflict

Russia has launched a “massive” new attack on Ukraine in an escalation of the already horrific war on a huge scale.

Russia launched a massive air strike against Ukraine on Friday. Picture: Twitter / Volodymyr Zelenskyy

At least 18 people are dead and more than 100 wounded in Russia’s latest escalation of violence in Ukraine, which has been described as the largest attack since the war began nearly two years ago.

Both Ukrainian and Russian officials confirmed Russia launched a large-scale wave of missile strikes at Ukrainian cities on Friday.

Ukrainian forces had counted 110 missiles fired at Ukraine by Russia, according to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

If that count is confirmed, it would be the largest aerial attack on Ukraine by Russia since its full-scale invasion in February 2022. According to the Ukrainian air force, the previous biggest assault was in November 2022 when Russia launched 96 missiles.

Russia has reportedly launched its largest attack on Ukraine yet. Picture: Twitter / Volodymyr Zelensky

At least 18 people are dead. Picture: Twitter / Volodymyr Zelensky

“We haven’t seen so much red on our monitors for a long time,” said Yuriy Ignat, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s air force, explaining that Russian forces had first launched a wave of suicide drones followed by missiles.

Mr Zelensky said the strikes had resulted in at least 18 deaths and 132 injuries.

“All services are working around the clock and providing the necessary aid,” he said.

“My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured.

“We will surely respond to terrorist strikes and we will continue to fight for the security of our entire country, every city, and every citizen. Russian terror must and will lose.”

A maternity ward, educational facilities, a shopping mall, multi-story residential buildings and private homes, a commercial storage, and a parking lot. Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and other cities.

Today, Russia used nearly every type of weapon in its… pic.twitter.com/q5q8Q98Njr

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 29, 2023

Mr Zelensky shared images and videos, ostensibly taken after the attacks, that showed fires, shattered windows and debris littering several Ukrainian cities as residents watched on in horror.

Several of the clips showed black smoke billowing from what appeared to be residential apartment blocks as firefighters tackled blazes.

People could be heard crying in the background of one video while, in a separate picture, a couple peered out from their shattered window, their apartment building in flames.

Another image showed a man carrying a young child away from a destroyed building, shielding her face with a piece of cloth to protect against the debris. In a third photo, emergency services personnel assisted a woman whose face and hands appeared to be covered in blood.

Several world leaders condemned the attack. Picture: Twitter / Volodymyr Zelensky

More than 100 people are believed to be injured. Picture: Twitter / Volodymyr Zelensky

Russia’s army confirmed it had struck several targets in dozens of strikes against Ukraine over the past week, the latest of which was Friday’s attack.

“In the period from 23 to 29 December, the armed forces of the Russian Federation carried out 50 group strikes and one massive strike … All targets were hit,” the army said in its daily update, adding it was aiming at military facilities.

Ukrainian officials say residential buildings were targeted. Picture: Twitter / Volodymyr Zelensky

Several world leaders condemned the attack.

Kaja Kallas, prime minister of Estonia, a key ally of Ukraine in eastern Europe, described it as a war crime.

“Russia launched the largest attack yet against Ukraine, targeting civilians. A war crime on a massive scale,” Ms Kallas posted on X.

“A reminder for the New Year that Russia’s aims haven’t changed — it wants to destroy Ukraine. Not letting aggression pay off is crucial for European and global security.”

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said his country will support Ukraine “for as long as it takes”.

“These widespread attacks on Ukraine’s cities show Putin will stop at nothing to achieve his aim of eradicating freedom and democracy,” he said.

“We will not let him win. We must continue to stand with Ukraine — for as long as it takes.”

Originally published as ‘War crime on a massive scale’: 18 dead in Russia’s huge escalation of Ukraine conflict