(FiveNation.com)- Russia allegedly launched an aerial attack and dropped bombs on two of Ukraine’s most populated cities, causing explosions in Kyiv and Kharkiv, Ukrainian officials say according to Newsweek. The strikes were reported on Telegram by Kyiv Oblast Governor Oleksiy Kuleb and Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov.
In a message to the Kyiv region, Kuleb wrote, that “according to preliminary data, the city was attacked by kamikaze drones” which struck Bila Tserkva. “Because of this, there are fires at infrastructure facilities. There is one victim.”
“Emergency services are already on site, working,” he added. “We are finding out information about the destruction and the victims. Do not ignore the alarm signal – immediately go to shelter. Take care of yourself and your loved ones. The air alert continues!”
Terekhov wrote in his Telegram post that two districts of Kharkov, Kholodnogorsky and Novobavarsky, were both hit in the aerial attack, adding that industrial and infrastructural facilities were in the crosshairs. Officials are still gathering information about the victims and further destruction.
Ukraine has successfully deterred Russian forces as of recently, leading many to speculate that Russia is on its last leg after Putin announced another partial mobilization of reservists in the country. Earlier in the war, Russia reportedly seized the city of Kharkiv, with a population of 1.4 million, but Ukraine has since taken most of the district back after launching a counterattack in September. However, the city is still experiencing shelling from Russia aerial strikes.
The Russian military allegedly hit five Ukrainian command posts, according to Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov. The strikes reportedly “targeted ‘clusters of manpower’ of the Ukrainian army’s 14th and 92nd mechanized brigades, eliminating as many as 100 troops and 16 pieces of military hardware,” according to Newsweek.
Putin has been escalating tension that he might use nuclear weapons after his latest announcement, mobilizing reservists. After declaring that he was annexed 15% of Ukraine, the Russian president threatened that if any country were to attack these regions, it would be considered an attack on Russian soil, adding that the West was the first to set the precedent for using nuclear weapons.
