UPDATE: A massive attack by Russia targeted Ukraine overnight from September 15 to 16, 2023, deploying over 600 drones and missiles, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. While Ukrainian air defense systems successfully intercepted most of the incoming threats, the assault resulted in at least three fatalities and numerous injuries.
The Russian strikes focused on key areas, including the central city of Dnipro, and impacted multiple regions such as Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, and Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the assault specifically targeted residential neighborhoods and crucial infrastructure. “In Dnipro, a missile with cluster munitions directly struck an apartment building,” he stated in a post on social media platform X.
Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, emphasizing that “every such strike is not a military necessity but a deliberate strategy by Russia to terrorize civilians and destroy our infrastructure.” He called for a robust international response to deter further aggression, highlighting the urgent need for global solidarity against the escalating threat.
The latest wave of attacks comes amid heightened tensions, as Russia has increasingly intensified long-range strikes on Ukraine. Just last week, a significant incident saw around two dozen Russian drones breach Polish airspace, marking the largest intrusion of Russian drones into NATO territory. In response, Polish and Dutch fighter jets successfully intercepted three of the drones.
In light of these developments, NATO has activated Operation Eastern Sentry, aimed at bolstering its air defense capabilities along its eastern borders. Some NATO allies are advocating for more decisive action, with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslav Sikorski suggesting that NATO should engage Russian drones operating near western Ukraine.
As the situation unfolds, Ukrainian officials continue to press for expanded sanctions against Russia. President Zelenskyy cautioned, “If the world does not deliver a truly tangible response to Russia’s prolonging of the war, if sanctions and tariffs are postponed, if the Russian army can already launch drones with impunity even against Poland—Putin will continue to see it as permission to wage war.”
This urgent escalation in hostilities highlights the critical need for immediate international intervention as civilian lives hang in the balance. Stay tuned for more updates as this developing situation progresses.
