Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Russia launched a combined missile and drone attack on multiple Ukrainian cities overnight on March 24, local officials reported.
Explosions were heard in the cities of Poltava and Zaporizhzhia around 3 a.m. local time, according to Telegram monitoring channels, amid an incoming Russian missile attack.
Ukraine’s Air Force warned of incoming Russian cruise missiles around 2:45 a.m. local time.
Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Ivan Fedorov reported that at least two people have been injured in the overnight attack on Zaporizhzhia, including in a drone attack on the city. Multiple homes and an apartment building sustained damage in the attack.
Earlier in the night, explosions also rang out in Kyiv amid a drone attack on the capital. Kyiv Independent journalists on the ground reported hearing multiple blasts beginning around 12:30 a.m. local time.
Local authorities confirmed that air defense systems are active and urged residents to seek shelter.
No reports of damage were immediately reported in Kyiv nor Poltava.
The ongoing attack comes just hours after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of an imminent mass attack by Russian forces, citing Ukrainian intelligence reports.
Zelensky suggested the potential strike could take place on late on Monday but did not provide further details on timing or possible targets.
Russia last launched a large-scale missile and drone attack against Ukraine in the early hours of March 14. Over the winter, Russia frequently targeted civilian infrastructure in an attempt to freeze Ukraine into submission.
Read also: ‘Russians may be preparing a massive strike,’ Zelensky says
From The Kyiv Independent - News from Ukraine, Eastern Europe via this RSS feed

