Ukraine, Hit by New Russian Missiles, Faces a Dark New Year

Ukrainians have had a grim start to 2023 with even more sirens and new missile attacks on their territory, as the death toll from the massive Russian New Year assault across the country rose to at least three

Kyiv, Ukraine — Ukrainians got off to a grim start to 2023 on Sunday, with even more sirens and more missile attacks on their territory, as the death toll from the massive Russian New Year assault across the country rose to at least three.

Nighttime shelling that hit neighborhoods in the southern city of Kherson killed one person, injured another and blew out hundreds of windows at a children’s hospital, according to the President’s deputy chief of staff Kyrylo Tymoshenko.

Meanwhile, a 22-year-old woman injured in a rocket attack in eastern Khmelnytskyi has died of her injuries, the city’s mayor, Oleksandr Symchyshyn, said.

Multiple explosions rocked Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine on Saturday and throughout the night, injuring dozens, a sign that the pace of Russian attacks had accelerated. Ukrainian officials have claimed that Russia is now deliberately targeting civilians, seeking to create a climate of fear and undermine morale.

The blasts came just 36 hours after Russia launched a barrage of missiles on Thursday to damage energy infrastructure, an unusually accelerated pace that alarmed Ukrainian officials.

First Lady Olena Zelenska expressed outrage that such massive missile attacks could take place just before New Year celebrations.

“Ruining the lives of others is a disgusting habit of our neighbours,” she said.

On Saturday in Kyiv, an AP photographer at the scene of the explosions saw the body of a woman as her husband and son stood nearby. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said two schools were also damaged, including a kindergarten.

Some Ukrainians have defied the danger, however, to return to the country to reunite with their families for the holidays.