• At least 12 civilians have been killed in recent Russian missile and drone attacks across Ukraine.
• A missile strike in Poltava resulted in eight fatalities and significant infrastructural damage.
• Ukrainian air defense reported intercepting numerous drones and missiles amid ongoing assaults.
• The Ukrainian President emphasized the need for increased support to defend against ongoing attacks.
• As the war nears its three-year mark, Russian air assaults continue to target critical infrastructure.

On February 1, 2025, a series of devastating drone and missile strikes by Russia resulted in the deaths of at least 12 civilians in Ukraine, according to reports from Ukrainian officials. The attacks predominantly targeted residential buildings and energy infrastructure, leading to significant casualties and damage across six regions, including Poltava, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia. The harsh assault began with a missile slamming into a residential structure in Poltava, claiming at least eight lives—among them a child—and injuring numerous others, as confirmed by the Interior Ministry Source.

In a grim update, the mayor of Kharkiv reported casualties from a drone attack, which resulted in one death and several injuries. Additionally, three police officers were killed during the violence while on patrol in Sumy Source. The total for this latest round of attacks reached 12 civilian deaths as Ukrainian officials confirmed ongoing strikes aimed at various targets, which included energy facilities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, stating that they exemplify the urgent need for increased military support from international allies, highlighting that each missile system and air defense unit potentially saves lives. The Ukrainian air force reported intercepting approximately 56 of the 123 drones launched in the attack, but specific numbers regarding missile interceptions were not disclosed Source.

Significant damage has been reported to residential areas and critical infrastructure throughout the affected regions, including the historic center of Odesa, which suffered damage in previous attacks. These actions by Russian forces come as they continue to launch relentless assaults on Ukraine’s energy sector, crippling roughly half of the country's generating capacity and leading to ongoing rolling blackouts as the war approaches its three-year mark Source.