A deadly wave of Russian missiles struck various cities in Ukraine, causing widespread destruction and resulting in the deaths of at least 18 people and leaving over 130 wounded, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The capital city of Kyiv and the northeastern city of Kharkiv were hit particularly hard, with rescue efforts still ongoing. The overnight barrage left buildings and cars ablaze, as rescue workers in Kharkiv heroically pulled survivors from smoldering rubble, with one high-rise building collapsing, resulting in deaths and multiple injuries.

#UkraineRussiaWar | UPDATE: #Russia’s mass missile strike on #Ukraine kills 9, injures over 80, including children. Russia is using more relatively accurate, recently-designed #NorthKorean missiles against Ukraine, NYT reports.https://t.co/HAble1d7Wj

— Michael Linder (@michaellinder) January 23, 2024

This attack comes as Ukraine's second city, Kharkiv, has been routinely shelled since Russia's invasion in February 2022, further intensifying the difficulties faced by Ukrainian residents who have been living with constant fear and horror for the past two years. While Russia claimed to have targeted weapons production facilities in Ukraine, the international community widely condemned the strikes, with the United Nations describing the attacks as causing more death, trauma, and destruction, while France accused Russia of committing war crimes.

In response to the attack, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shymgal called for Russia to be held accountable for the pain and suffering it has caused to Ukraine. Despite Russian denials that it had targeted civilian infrastructure and residential neighborhoods, Zelensky warned of retaliation, asserting that Ukraine has the capability to respond decisively. As the world grapples with the escalating conflict and the devastating toll it is taking on innocent Ukrainian civilians, the urgent need for support and intervention from the international community is more crucial now than ever before.