A Russian missile strike targeting a Ukrainian residential block in Dnipro has resulted in at least 30 deaths. This attack was part of a larger wave of attacks on civilians and infrastructure. Another 30-40 people may still be trapped beneath debris.

Rescue teams worked in sub-zero temperatures all night to locate survivors in the rubble from the nine-storey apartment block. There were screams beneath the rubble. Officials estimate that there were approximately 1,700 residents who lived there before Saturday’s strike.

This is the largest death toll since the Zaporizhzhia area was attacked in September 2022.

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Photographs from the scene showed that the tower was largely toppled. Large plumes of smoke were seen billowing into the sky as emergency personnel searched for it.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zilenskyy stated on Sunday afternoon, that at least 73 were injured and 39 had been rescued.

“Search and rescue operations continue and dangerous structural elements are being removed. All day. “We continue to fight for every human life,” Zelenskyy stated.

Dnipro, the fourth-largest city in the country, is centrally located on Dnipro River. It also houses a large Holocaust memorial museum and museum.

Mikhailo Lysenko, Dnipro’s deputy Mayor, stated in a video on social media that desperate residents were sending texts messages from their flats. He added: “We stop working now and again to keep silent, and we hear people screaming from beneath the rubble.”

Russian terror strikes key infrastructure

The Russian strikes that erupted Saturday also damaged critical infrastructure in many major cities, including Kyiv (the Ukrainian capital); Kharkiv (in the east); and Lviv (in the west).

Although Ukraine’s air force was able to destroy 25 of 38 missiles launched by the invaders by their aircraft, some of those that did land caused damage to power supplies in certain areas of the cities.

Moscow has intensified its bombardment on the Ukrainian energy infrastructure since October. This has caused large blackouts and cut central heating and running water.

Zelenskyy called the attacks “Russian terror”, as Vladimir Putin‘s forces aim to increase suffering in Ukraine during the cold winter months.

The impact of Saturday’s attack, which left one person in Kryviy Rih, a steel-making town, meant that Ukraine’s energy minister warned that it would be difficult for the next days.

Allies promise more assistance

Ukraine’s allies have pledged to send more military assistance, and the White House ambassador to Kyiv condemned the attack on Dnipro as “horrifying”.

Bridget Brink tweeted that Ukraine will receive more security assistance to aid its defense.

In its largest military assistance package, the US promised 50 Bradley tank-killing armored vehicles as part of its biggest military assistance package.

Britain is the first Western country to pledge tanks for Kyiv.

In the next weeks, 14 Challenger 2 tanks and around 30 AS90 propelled gun will be shipped. These are large armaments that can be operated by five gunners.

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Following a call with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Mr Zelenskyy thanked Britain for its “impenetrable support”, but appealed to other allies for more assistance.

He said, “The entire world knows what to do to stop those who sow death,” in his nightly address.

It is hoped other allies will do the same, with Germany being the most notable. This would allow Germany to unlock its Leopard 2 tank. The Leopard 2 was produced in much greater numbers than Germany and is currently used by many other European countries.

On Friday, Ukraine’s allies will meet in Ramstein, Germany. There, governments will make their latest promises.

The battle for a hotly-contested city continues

Despite Russian claims to victory on Saturday, fighting continued at Soledar in eastern Donetsk. This is a place that saw some of the bloodiest fighting during the war.

After a string of battlefield setbacks and losses, the Kremlin would see the fall of the town as a rare victory. Moscow claims that taking control would allow its troops to cut off supply lines to the nearby city of Bakhmut.

However, there are still pockets of resistance and Ukrainian officials say that the fight continues.

Hanna Maliar, deputy defence minister, stated that “our soldiers are constantly repelling enemy attacks, day and night.”

“The enemy is suffering heavy losses, but continues to execute the criminal orders of its command.”