Russian rockets have struck an apartment building in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, leading to the deaths of at least four people, according to Ukraine’s interior minister, Ihor Klymenko. Additionally, 32 individuals sustained injuries, with the mayor of Lviv describing the attack as one of the most significant assaults on the city’s civilian infrastructure. President Volodymyr Zelensky promised a tangible response to what he referred to as an assault by “Russian terrorists.”
Russia’s military has not commented on the reported attack, and further details surrounding the incident remain unclear. Mr. Klymenko, sharing updates on Telegram, stated that search and rescue efforts have already saved seven people from the affected apartment block. However, concerns persist that more individuals could still be trapped under the debris.
The aftermath of the rocket strike reveals the extent of the damage inflicted on Lviv. Approximately 60 homes have suffered severe damage, with several building roofs blown away. Moreover, a school and polytechnic university dormitories have been significantly impacted. The mayor, Andriy Sadovyi, expressed deep concern over the scale of destruction caused by the attack.
Dr. Sasha Dovzhyk, currently in Lviv and working at the Ukrainian Institute London, recounted her experience hiding in the bathroom upon hearing the air raid siren. She described it as part of the Ukrainian routine, where residents seek shelter behind walls and away from windows during such attacks. Dr. Dovzhyk further explained that when the rocket, identified as a Kalibr missile, struck a residential building approximately 2km away, the impact was powerful, causing the walls of her hiding place to shake.
The Ukrainian Air Force has claimed that Russia launched the missiles from the Black Sea. In a statement on Telegram, the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that while seven out of ten Kalibr cruise missiles were intercepted, one missile altered its course and struck Lviv. However, these claims have yet to be independently verified.
For months, Russia has carried out missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, resulting in civilian casualties and widespread disruptions. The recent assault on Kramatorsk claimed the lives of 13 people, including children, when a restaurant and shopping center were hit. Although Lviv is located in western Ukraine, relatively distant from the front lines in the south and east, the city has previously experienced Russian attacks. In a drone attack last month, critical infrastructure in Lviv was targeted, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the region.
