On the eve of the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion, the armed forces of the Russian Federation launched a massive attack on Ukrainian territory, firing dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones. Civilian casualties were reported in Odesa, Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy. These actions coincided with a surprising explosion in Lviv, which killed a police officer. In retaliation, the Ukrainian military forced Moscow to completely close local airspace due to violations by attack drones.

Russian shelling of the country

Kremlin forces sent hundreds of missiles and lethal drones towards Ukrainian territory, killing several people, including in strategic Odesa and Zaporizhzhia.

Terrorist attack in Lviv

The use of a dangerous homemade explosive device resulted in the death of a police officer and the arrest of a local woman involved in the act, despite accusations against Russia.

Paralyzed Russian airspace

Attacks targeting urban infrastructure forced the complete abandonment of civilian air traffic around the territory of the Moscow metropolis.

Putin's nuclear warnings

The Russian president responded with a promise to rapidly expand the strategic development of nuclear forces, treating this task as an absolute and critical step for the state.

On the eve of the fourth anniversary of the full-scale war, Russian troops conducted a massive aerial campaign targeting Ukrainian territory. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that within several dozen hours, nearly fifty missiles fell on the country and over three hundred combat drones were launched. The most severe effects were recorded in Odesa, where key industrial infrastructure was destroyed, leading to the deaths of at least two people, with several more requiring hospitalization. Simultaneously, missiles struck Kyiv and Sumy, leaving casualties and injuries nationwide. Another civilian was killed in the strike on Zaporizhzhia. The attacks were multi-phase, with their primary goal appearing to be depleting defenders' ammunition supplies and paralyzing Ukrainian logistics. 350+ — missiles and drones used against Ukraine Deeply concerning reports and images emerged from the western part of the country, widely considered a relatively safe haven. In Lviv, a tragic explosion occurred caused by an improvised bomb. The blast killed a Ukrainian police officer, and dozens of others sustained shrapnel wounds. The head of the Ukrainian state immediately condemned the incident. „Moscow is planning new terrorist attacks in Ukraine. This is a cynical and cruel attack.” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy However, Western news outlets, citing investigative sources within Ukraine, report that regional police have detained a female citizen in connection with this specific case. This early arrest casts doubt on the initial media narrative of a direct, classic operation by Russian services. Special units are currently verifying the actual motivations of the arrested perpetrator. The conflict in the eastern oblasts began in 2014, inspired by Russian intelligence forces, directly after the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. The full-scale armed invasion occurred exactly four years ago, transforming the then-isolated crisis into the largest European war since the times of Hitler and Stalin. Meanwhile, the territory of the Russian Federation has also not avoided tensions related to the conflict. Before dawn, defense systems around the Moscow metropolitan area were placed on high alert due to the appearance of hostile long-range drones. The operational situation forced the temporary suspension of operations at four major Moscow airports, disrupting civilian traffic for over an hour and necessitating flight diversions. In response to escalating asymmetric skirmishes deep within the country, Vladimir Putin announced at a press briefing that developing the strategic nuclear arsenal is an absolute priority for his government in the coming period. Timeline of incidents on the eve of the anniversary: February 22 — Ukrainian attacks and Moscow paralysis; February 22 — Explosions in Lviv; February 23 — Key strike on Odesa

Mentioned People

  • Wołodymyr Zełenski — Strongly condemned the hostile attack on Lviv neighborhoods, branding it an extremely cruel act.
  • Władimir Putin — Publicly emphasized the requirement for continuous expansion of the strike potential of mechanized forces possessing nuclear power.