Children among 25 killed as Russian strike devastates Ternopil
Children among 25 killed as Russian strike devastates Ternopil
A deadly Russian assault on western Ukraine's Ternopil left at least 25 dead, including children, and two residential blocks destroyed, as Kyiv pleads for uninterrupted Western air-defense support.
An attack on western Ukraine's city of Ternopil left at least 25 people dead, including children, after two blocks of flats were destroyed by cruise missiles. The strike, described as one of the deadliest in the region in years, sent plumes of smoke over the city and triggered sirens that echoed through the night. Residents spoke of collapsed stairwells, shattered windows, and widespread rubble where homes once stood. The scenes of destruction were underscored by video showing missiles streaking across the sky and emergency crews working amid the debris.
Ukraine's air force said it had shot down a large share of the incoming threat, downing 442 of 476 drones and 41 of 48 missiles. Officials noted that, despite those successes, some missiles and drones still penetrated defenses, highlighting the strain on Ukraine's air defenses as the conflict stretches into another month. Kyiv has received fighter jets and air-defense systems from Western partners, but authorities urged a continuous and timely supply of aviation weapons to keep pace with Russia's campaigns.
With Ternopil lying closer to the Polish border than the nation’s capital, the strike underscored the vulnerability of civilians in western Ukraine. Social media posts showed the night sky lit with missiles and smoke, while responders and volunteers pulled survivors from the wreckage. A video shared by officials captured damage near the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, where a massive plume rose while a chorus of sirens wailed in the background. The interior minister described the scene as devastating and called on people to stay clear of damaged buildings as rescuers pressed on with the search.
Authorities said the attack caused significant destruction and left many people missing beneath the rubble. The strike marked another brutal episode in a campaign that has kept Ukraine's air defenses under constant pressure. Officials emphasized that while defense systems have improved, the country must rely on steady support from its partners to sustain and expand those capabilities.
Analysts say such assaults aim to disrupt daily life in western Ukraine and test Kyiv's resolve ahead of any potential peace talks. The government has repeatedly urged Western allies to maintain their support, citing the need to blunt the effectiveness of these campaigns. For residents, the immediate concerns are safety, shelter, and the long road to rebuilding a city that has already endured extensive trauma over the past year.
Cover image source: Russia Strikes Ukraine as Zelensky Aims to Revive Peace Talks 🔗
