In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russia launched a devastating missile attack on the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on September 4, 2024, resulting in at least seven deaths, including three children, and injuring over 38 people. This attack comes just a day after a deadly strike on Poltava that killed 51 people, marking a stark intensification of Russian aggression.The assault on Lviv, which began in the early hours of Wednesday, employed a combination of ‘Kinzhal’ hypersonic missiles and ‘Shahed’ drones. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi reported that over 50 buildings in the city center were damaged, including two schools and two medical facilities. The attack not only claimed lives but also struck at the heart of Lviv’s historical heritage, a city that had largely been spared from intense fighting throughout the war.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as ‘Russian terrorist acts’. He reiterated urgent calls for Western allies to provide more robust air defense systems and long-range weapons to protect against further Russian aggression. ‘Every one of our partners around the world who helps Ukraine with air defense is a true defender of life,’ Zelensky stated.The attacks have raised concerns beyond Ukraine’s borders, with neighboring Poland scrambling aircraft to secure its airspace in response to Russia’s long-range aviation activities. This development underscores the potential for the conflict to have wider regional implications.As rescue efforts continue and the full extent of the damage is assessed, this latest attack on Lviv – a city over 1,000 km from the front lines – serves as a grim reminder of the war’s reach and the urgent need for enhanced defensive capabilities and international support for Ukraine.
Key points
- Russian missile attack on Lviv killed at least 7 people, including 3 children, and injured over 38.
- The attack damaged over 50 buildings in Lviv’s city center, including historical structures.
- President Zelensky called for increased international support for air defense systems.
- The attack on Lviv followed a deadly strike on Poltava that killed 51 people the previous day.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported number of injured, ranging from ‘over 30’ to ‘over 38’.
