Media: Ukraine Suffers Rare Daytime Mass Airstrikes; Zelenskyy Urges Allies to Increase Pressure on Russia
On March 24, multiple regions across Ukraine were hit by a large-scale aerial attack launched by Russia. In the evening of that day, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated that this round of attacks demonstrated Russia’s lack of intent to end the war. He emphasized that only through further pressure and inflicting tangible costs on Moscow could the four-year-long conflict be brought to an end and peace restored.
Ukrainian authorities reported that over 550 drones were launched by Russia toward Ukraine during the daytime alone on March 24. Such large-scale attacks during daylight hours are rare, as Russia had previously mainly conducted similar strikes at night. When combined with the previous night’s attacks, the total number of long-range drones launched by Russia into Ukraine has now approached 1,000. The massive nighttime strikes also affected power supplies in neighboring Moldova.
The airstrikes caused casualties and damage to infrastructure across Ukraine. The western city of Lviv was attacked during the day, located just 60 kilometers from the Polish border. Poland stated it had urgently deployed fighter jets in response to the situation.
Lviv is situated in western Ukraine, and its distance to Vienna is actually closer than its distance to the eastern front lines. Although the city has experienced air raids during the war, the frequency has been significantly lower than in other major Ukrainian cities. This latest attack has deeply shaken local residents. The regional governor also noted that part of the Bernardine Monastery complex—located in the historic center and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site—had sustained damage.
Additionally, the western city of Ivano-Frankivsk was also struck. Casualties were reported in the central Vinnytsia Oblast, while air defense operations continued throughout the day around the capital, Kyiv. The Ukrainian Air Force said drone activity was detected across more than ten regions nationwide. Two energy facilities in the Ternopil region in the west were also targeted. Russia has not yet responded to these actions.
In light of this, Zelenskyy once again called on allies to provide more air defense munitions. He also warned that Ukraine remains highly dependent on U.S.-provided air defense systems for countering ballistic missiles, and that as Washington shifts focus toward the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, Ukraine might face a missile shortage.
Source: rfi
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1860585606768777/
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