Missile Attack Claims Lives in Ukraine's Kryvyi Rih Amid Aid Suspension

In the early hours of Thursday, a Russian missile struck a hotel in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine's central region, resulting in the deaths of at least four individuals and injuring over thirty, according to local officials. The hotel, which housed volunteers from humanitarian groups from Ukraine, the U.S., and the U.K., was hit shortly after they were warned to evacuate. President Volodymyr Zelensky lamented the casualties, emphasizing the urgent need for continued pressure on Russia to cease its hostilities.

Emergency response teams quickly arrived at the chaotic scene to rescue trapped civilians from the collapsed structure, while Ukraine's air defense units prepared for further assaults. The Ukrainian Air Force disclosed that Russia had conducted a significant attack involving two ballistic missiles and a staggering 112 drones, many of which were decoys to overwhelm air defenses. Although the majority of the drones were intercepted, it remains unclear whether either missile was successfully neutralized, underscoring the ongoing challenges facing Ukraine's defense efforts amidst a winter marked by relentless aerial bombardments.