A devastating Russian drone and missile attack on the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil resulted in the deaths of at least 25 people, including three children, according to local authorities. The assault occurred late on March 13, 2024, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was arriving in Turkey to discuss diplomatic support with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The assault struck two nine-story apartment buildings in Ternopil, located approximately 200 kilometers (120 miles) from the Polish border. Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that emergency services were actively searching through the debris for survivors. In addition to the fatalities, at least 73 people, including 15 children, sustained injuries.
According to Ukraine’s air force, Russian forces launched an extensive barrage, deploying 476 drones and 48 missiles against various targets across Ukraine. Among these, 47 cruise missiles were fired, with Ukrainian air defenses intercepting all but six. Western-supplied F-16 and Mirage-2000 jets successfully intercepted at least ten of the missiles.
Zelenskyy condemned the attack, stating on Telegram, “Every brazen attack against ordinary life indicates that the pressure on Russia (to stop the war) is insufficient.” His visit to Turkey aims to strengthen international support against Russian President Vladimir Putin and to garner further diplomatic pressure.
The ongoing discussions with Erdogan are crucial for Ukraine, particularly as Zelenskyy aims to explore maximum capabilities to secure a just peace. He expressed optimism regarding Turkey’s role, stating he has “good relations” with Erdogan. Zelenskyy also hinted at forthcoming developments regarding U.S. sanctions on Russia’s oil industry, which are set to take effect on March 15, 2024.
In a related context, Russian military officials claimed the attacks were retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, specifically targeting energy facilities and military-industrial sites. Concurrently, two Eurofighter Typhoon jets and two F-16s were scrambled in Romania after a drone entered NATO airspace, prompting precautionary measures, including temporary closures of airports in Poland.
Further north, in Kharkiv, a separate drone assault injured 46 people, including two children, as multiple districts faced strikes that damaged civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings and an ambulance station. The regional military administration confirmed the extent of the damages and ongoing threats.
On the Russian side, officials reported that Ukraine had fired four ATACMS missiles at the city of Voronezh, claiming all were intercepted. However, debris from the interceptions caused damage to a private home and an orphanage, without resulting in any reported casualties.
As the conflict escalates, the humanitarian impact continues to grow, with many civilians caught in the crossfire. Zelenskyy’s diplomatic efforts in Turkey could prove pivotal in shaping the international response to the ongoing war.
For ongoing updates, follow the latest developments in the war in Ukraine at [AP News](https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine).
