In a night that resembled a scene from a dystopian thriller, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a grim account on Friday, revealing that Russia unleashed a staggering 110 missiles and drones upon Ukrainian targets. This relentless assault, spanning approximately 18 hours, stands as one of the most significant aerial barrages in the 22-month Russo-Ukrainian War, leaving devastation in its wake.

A maternity ward, educational facilities, a shopping mall, multi-story residential buildings and private homes, a commercial storage, and a parking lot. Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and other cities.

Today, Russia used nearly every type of weapon in its… pic.twitter.com/q5q8Q98Njr

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 29, 2023

Zelenskyy, addressing the world through the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), reported that the majority of the incoming missiles and drones met their demise in the skies, intercepted by Ukrainian defenses. However, the toll on the ground was undeniable, with at least seven civilians confirmed dead, scores injured, and an unknown number trapped beneath the rubble of damaged structures.

The Kremlin’s forces spared no arsenal, employing a chilling variety of weapons, including ballistic and cruise missiles. Zelenskyy, in his somber declaration, stated, “Today, Russia used nearly every type of weapon in its arsenal.” Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat painted a dire picture, noting that Russia “apparently launched everything they have” in this relentless attack.

Ukraine Braces Against Unprecedented Aerial Barrage from Russia in Russo-Ukrainian War

If Zelenskyy’s count holds true, this marks the largest aerial assault by the Kremlin’s forces since their full-scale invasion in February 2022. Comparatively, the Ukrainian Air Force cites the previous record set in November 2022 when Russia rained down 96 missiles on Ukraine.

The timing of this bombardment is particularly disconcerting. As winter weather bogs down the front line and Ukraine’s summer counteroffensive fails to gain significant ground along the extensive 1,000-kilometer line of contact, the aerial onslaught adds another layer of complexity to an already dire situation.

The 18-hour assault, beginning on Thursday and extending through the night, left a trail of destruction across six cities, including the capital Kyiv. Buildings that should be safe havens, such as a maternity hospital, apartment blocks, and schools, now bear the scars of an unrelenting conflict.

As the international community grapples with the fallout from this unprecedented attack, the resilience of the Ukrainian people is put to the test once again. The echoes of explosions may fade, but the impact of this assault will reverberate for days to come, underscoring the urgent need for a resolution to this protracted and devastating conflict.