On March 25, Russia launched another missile attack on Kyiv, causing at least two injuries and significant damage to buildings in the city. The attack resulted in the destruction of a gym and concert hall at the Kyiv State Academy of Decorative and Applied Arts, as well as damage to residential buildings in several districts of the city. Emergency services were called to assist the victims, including two pregnant women and a 16-year-old girl. President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on Western allies to provide Ukraine with more air defense systems in response to the attack. Meanwhile, in Mykolaiv, 11 people were injured and parts of Odesa were left without electricity after a separate Russian drone attack.
Additionally, the Ukrainian Navy reported that the Russian warship Ivan Khurs may have been damaged in a missile attack on Crimea. Along with two other Russian landing ships, the Ivan Khurs was targeted by Ukrainian forces in an ongoing campaign against Russian military assets in the Black Sea region. Recent attacks on Russian oil refineries have also disrupted the country’s refinery capacity, with the Kuibyshev refinery halting one of its primary refining units after a drone attack. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have successfully shot down over 2,000 Russian missiles since the start of the all-out war, demonstrating the effectiveness of Ukraine’s air defense systems.
Furthermore, a transformer substation at the Novocherkassk State District Power Plant in Russia’s Rostov Oblast caught fire following an alleged drone attack, disabling two units temporarily. Russian Governor Vasily Golubev claimed that the fire was quickly extinguished, and power supply to consumers was restored. Ukrainian forces have been targeting Russian oil infrastructure in recent weeks, with reports of successful drone strikes on multiple oil refineries deep inside Russian territory. The disruptions to the Russian oil industry have led to calls for the protection of such targets by the Ukrainian military.
Overall, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in significant losses for Russian forces, with over 15,000 vehicles, aircraft, naval vessels, and weapons systems lost since the start of the full-scale invasion. Ukrainian officials continue to urge Western allies for more support, including air defense systems and missiles, to protect Ukrainian cities from regular attacks. The intense fighting and strategic targeting of Russian military assets underscore the determination of Ukraine to defend its sovereignty and resist Russian aggression. The situation remains volatile, with both sides engaging in high-stakes military operations that have far-reaching consequences for the region and international security.
