A Russian drone and missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Ternopil resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 25 individuals, including three children. This assault took place late on March 27, 2024, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Turkey seeking diplomatic backing against Russia’s ongoing invasion. The attack hit two nine-story residential buildings in Ternopil, approximately 200 kilometers (120 miles) from Poland’s border, according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko.
Emergency services reported that at least 73 people were injured in the strike, with 15 of them being children. Klymenko revealed that 19 of the deceased were burned alive, including three children aged 5, 7, and 16. Ongoing rescue operations have left two dozen individuals unaccounted for, with efforts expected to continue for at least two more days to sift through the debris.
The Ukrainian Air Force disclosed that Russia launched a total of 476 strike and decoy drones, alongside 48 missiles during the night. This barrage included 47 cruise missiles, of which air defenses intercepted all but six. Western-supplied F-16 and Mirage-2000 jets successfully intercepted at least 10 of these cruise missiles.
Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, stating on the messaging app Telegram, “Every brazen attack against ordinary life indicates that the pressure on Russia to stop the war is insufficient.” His remarks underscored the ongoing humanitarian crisis resulting from the war and the need for intensified international response.
Diplomatic Efforts in Turkey
Later on the same day, Zelenskyy met with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, aiming to further isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin diplomatically and increase international pressure on his regime. Erdogan has maintained a delicate balance between his relations with both Ukraine and Russia, making Turkey a significant player in the Black Sea region.
Following their discussions, both leaders expressed a commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict. “We count on the strength of Turkish diplomacy and how it’s understood in Moscow,” Zelenskyy stated, highlighting Turkey’s potential role as a mediator.
Zelenskyy noted that he had observed “some positions and signals from the United States” regarding the war, though he did not elaborate. Notably, new American sanctions targeting Russia’s oil industry, aimed at compelling Putin towards negotiations, are set to take effect shortly.
Escalating Violence Across Ukraine
The attack on Ternopil comes amid a broader pattern of violence across Ukraine. In addition to the casualties in Ternopil, Russian strikes have affected several other regions, resulting in nearly 50 injuries. In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, drone strikes injured 46 people, including two young girls. The regional military administration reported that multiple city districts were hit, damaging residential buildings and civilian infrastructure.
In response to the escalating attacks, the Romanian Ministry of National Defense reported that two Eurofighter Typhoon jets and two F-16s were scrambled when a drone entered Romanian airspace. Similarly, Poland’s military deployed aircraft as a precautionary measure, temporarily closing Rzeszów and Lublin airports to prioritize military aviation.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed the strikes were a retaliation against Ukrainian attacks on its territory. They reported that Ukraine had fired four American-supplied ATACMS missiles at the city of Voronezh, which were intercepted, but debris caused damage to civilian structures including a private house and an orphanage.
As the situation continues to develop, the humanitarian impact remains profound, with families torn apart and communities devastated by the ongoing conflict. The international community watches closely as diplomatic efforts unfold and the search for peace continues.
