Tragedy in Lviv: Four Lives Lost as Russian Attack Targets Apartment Building

• Russian rocket strike on apartment building in Lviv, Ukraine claims at least four lives.
• Mayor of Lviv describes the attack as a major assault on civilian infrastructure.
• Over 30 houses destroyed; emergency services working to clear debris and rescue trapped individuals.

A tragic incident unfolded in Lviv, western Ukraine, as a Russian rocket struck an apartment building, resulting in the death of at least four individuals. Among the victims were a 21-year-old woman and a 95-year-old woman.

The attack also left 34 people injured, leading the mayor of Lviv to characterize it as one of the most significant assaults on the city’s civilian infrastructure.

Maksym Kozytskyi, the head of the Lviv region, reported that over 30 houses were destroyed in the incident. The Russian military has not provided any comment regarding the reported attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged a decisive response to the assault perpetrated by “Russian terrorists.”

In a message shared on Telegram, Mr. Kozytskyi expressed that the tragic victim of the rocket attack in Lviv was a young woman of only 21 years old. He lamented that Russia’s actions were claiming the lives of the youth, which he viewed as an assault on their collective future.

“The oldest person to die was 95. The woman survived World War Two, but unfortunately, she did not survive racism.”

According to Mr. Kozytskyi, emergency services are currently engaged in clearing debris and conducting rescue operations in an effort to save individuals who may be trapped beneath the rubble.

“There is a shelter next to the house that was hit by the missile,” he added.

“It is in good condition and was open at the time of the alarm. But, only five people were in the shelter from the entire building. Very disappointing.”

Dr. Sasha Dovzhyk, who is presently in Lviv but normally works at the Ukrainian Institute London, recounted her experience of taking cover in her bathroom upon hearing the air raid siren.

She explained to the BBC that this was a customary response in Ukraine. Dr. Dovzhyk emphasized the importance of creating a physical barrier between oneself and the outside, preferably with no windows or glass. She described how the impact of the Kalibr missile striking a residential building approximately 2 kilometers away caused the walls of the bathroom where she sought shelter to shake, indicating a significant force of impact.