On Tuesday, Ukraine's two largest cities came under attack from Russian missiles, resulting in the death of at least five people and injuring as many as 130, officials reported. The country's Commander-in-Chief, Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, stated that air defenses were able to shoot down all 10 of the Russian Kinzhal missiles out of about 100 of various types that were launched. The attacks, carried out with hypersonic missiles that can travel at 10 times the speed of sound, marked the highest number used in one attack since the start of the war.

The barrage extended Russian attacks that began Friday with its largest single assault on Ukraine since the war started. At least 41 civilians were killed since the weekend. The use of these advanced and expensive missiles in the attacks came as a surprise, as Russian forces rarely use such sophisticated weaponry against Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed at least 70 of the missiles were shot down, noting that Western-supplied air defense systems such as Patriots and NASAMS had saved hundreds of lives.

The attacks created a desolate scene in Kyiv, with most cafes and restaurants remaining closed. Many people opted to stay indoors or seek refuge in shelters as powerful blasts shook the city from early morning. Residents described the attacks as the most frightening due to the large number of explosions. The Kremlin, on the other hand, claimed that its strike on military industrial facilities in and around Kyiv had achieved its goal and had hit all intended targets. The Russian Defense Ministry said it had also targeted depots storing missiles and munitions supplied by the West. The attacks have led to increased tensions between the two countries, with Russian President Vladimir Putin accusing Western nations of using Ukraine to try to "put Russia in its place."

The president vowed to retaliate, insisting that Moscow would only target military infrastructure in Ukraine. However, officials in Kyiv reported civilian casualties from daily attacks on apartment buildings, shopping centers, and residential areas. As the war in Ukraine approaches its two-year mark, the ongoing conflict continues to escalate, causing devastation and loss of life in urban areas. The latest series of attacks has left a trail of destruction and heightened fear among residents, raising concerns about the enduring impact of the war on the region.