Russia launched missile attacks on Kharkiv
Russian forces launched missile attacks on Kharkiv in the early hours of April 24, causing damage to four residential buildings and injuring two people, according to Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov's report on Telegram.
Russian troops targeted the Shevchenkivskyi district with S-300 surface-to-air missiles, hitting residential buildings. The two injured individuals suffered shrapnel wounds from the blasts. The attack also compromised a gas pipeline, cutting off the gas supply to the neighborhood in the Shevchenkivskyi district.
Emergency crews promptly arrived at the scene to conduct search and rescue operations and assess the damage.
Additionally, in the Bohodukhivskyi district northwest of Kharkiv, Russian missiles struck an administrative building in Zolochiv, as reported by Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov. Fortunately, no casualties were reported by 1:30 a.m. local time.
These attacks are part of Russia's recent escalation against Kharkiv, deploying a combination of missiles, glide bombs, and drones to target energy infrastructure and civilian areas. This aggressive campaign has left Kharkiv's energy system in a vulnerable state. At the end of March, Russian forces destroyed all the electrical substations in the city, disrupting its already fragile power supply.
Russia may shift to attacking Ukraine's transportation systems
Russian forces may shift their focus in the coming weeks to targeting Ukraine's transportation infrastructure, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its April 23 report.
In spring 2024, Moscow intensified missile and drone attacks against Ukraine's energy grid, taking advantage of delays in Western aid that led to critical ammunition and air defense shortages. The attacks caused severe damage to vital facilities in multiple cities, though they failed to collapse Ukraine's power grid.
However, the recent approval of a $61 billion security assistance package in the U.S. Congress indicates that Ukraine's defense capacities will soon receive significant reinforcement.
The ISW noted that while Ukraine awaits new weapons, Russian forces are expected to continue their assaults to "maximize damage to Ukrainian infrastructure and defense industrial base capacity." This effort might lead to a shift in focus from energy infrastructure to transportation networks, aiming to prevent weapon supplies from reaching the front lines.
"Russian forces may shift their target set to hit Ukrainian transportation infrastructure, logistics, and military storage facilities," analysts noted, basing their prediction on comments by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Shoigu announced at the Russian Defense Ministry collegium on April 23 that Moscow would escalate attacks against Ukrainian logistics centers and weapons storage facilities.
Additionally, Russia's attacks in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on April 19, which targeted the Dnipro city railway station, suggest a potential shift in Russia's strategy towards targeting transportation infrastructure.
Expanded strikes against transportation systems could be aimed at hindering Ukrainian logistics and communication, creating obstacles for Ukrainian forces in distributing manpower and materiel to key sectors of the front. By disrupting transportation, Russian forces might hope to delay the improved capabilities that the upcoming U.S. security assistance would provide to Ukrainian forces.
Russians launch missile attack on Odesa
On the morning of April 24, Russian forces launched a missile attack on the city of Odesa, injuring a 43-year-old woman.
Oleh Kiper, the Head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration, reported the attack on his Telegram channel, detailing that the missile strike occurred at around 07:00. As of now, only one person is known to have been injured, a 43-year-old woman who has been hospitalized in a moderate condition.
The impact of the missile strike caused significant damage to approximately 30 houses, shattering windows and glass throughout the affected area. In some instances, the force of the blast caused ceilings to collapse, adding to the destruction.
Emergency response teams from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine were quickly dispatched to the scene to assess the damage and begin search and rescue operations. Despite the extent of the damage, there have been no additional reports of casualties at this time.
The missile attack on Odesa is part of Russia's ongoing campaign to target Ukraine's cities, causing damage to infrastructure and posing risks to civilians. Further details are expected to emerge as emergency services continue their efforts in the affected areas.
Russians attacked Nikopol district at night, damaging an agricultural company and power lines
Russian forces attacked the Nikopol district of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, causing damage to business and agricultural company premises, along with power lines, leading to power outages for some residents.
Serhii Lysak, the Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, reported on Telegram that the attacks occurred overnight, with Russian forces using various types of kamikaze drones and heavy artillery. The attacks targeted the district center, as well as the Myrove and Marhanets hromadas. (A hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village, or several villages and their adjacent territories.)
During the assault, premises belonging to a business and an agricultural company were damaged. Power lines were also affected, resulting in some customers being left without electricity.
Fortunately, Lysak confirmed that no casualties had been reported from the attacks. However, evening strikes by FPV drones also caused damage to a private house and an outbuilding in the area, contributing to the overall impact of the attacks.
The Russian assaults on the Nikopol district are part of an ongoing pattern of targeting civilian infrastructure, causing disruptions to local businesses and residential areas. Authorities are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage and work to restore essential services to those affected.