On X writes Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyj:
"A massive attack on all regions of Ukraine", and continues:
"A total of approximately 120 rockets and 90 drones were sent. Our air defense destroyed over 140 air attacks".
According to Zelenskyj, at least two people have died in one of the drone attacks, and six people have been injured.
Several Ukrainian government sources describe the Russian attack as the largest in several months. In Odessa, southern Ukraine, two deaths are reported after the attacks, which knocked out both water and power supplies.
Bomb Planes and Air Alarms
Air alarms went off across the country at 6 am local time. Rockets were fired at Ukraine from the Black Sea and from locations within Russia. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, several strategic bombers also took off from multiple airbases in Russia during the night.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha writes on X:
"Russia has launched one of the largest air attacks: Drones and rockets against peaceful cities, sleeping civilians, critical infrastructure. This is war criminal Putin's true response to all those who have called and visited him recently. We need peace through strength, not concessions."
Reaction from Poland
Kyiv's Mayor Vitalij Klitjko says on Telegram that remnants of drones have hit an apartment building in the city, which has caught fire. According to Klitjko, at least one person has been taken to hospital. Massive Russian rocket attacks have mainly targeted other places than Kyiv in recent months of the war.
Ukraine will apply power rationing in all regions on Monday after Russia caused damage to power plants during the attack.
"Tomorrow, November 18, all regions will be forced to apply measures to limit consumption", writes the Energy Department in a statement.
In response to the Russian attacks, Poland has raised its alert level and activated "all available forces", including fighter jets, which also include "allied" forces. This is stated by Poland's military leadership on X.
According to Reuters, they further write that "all available forces and resources have been activated, all fighter jets in service have been mobilized, air defense and radar systems have reached their highest level of alert."
