The death toll in Ukraine has tragically increased to 39 following a massive Russian air assault on the country. Reports indicate that this assault, which occurred on Friday, marks the most significant attack since the onset of the nearly two-year-old conflict.

According to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, nearly 120 cities and villages have been affected, resulting in the damaging of hundreds of civilian objects. In a post on X Saturday, Zelensky revealed that the assault left 159 individuals wounded. The attack involved Russia launching over 150 missiles and drones at Ukrainian targets over a span of 18 hours.

Zelensky emphasized the importance of defending lives through the use of weapons in the hands of Ukrainians. He condemned the Russian terror and stressed the urgent need for assistance to those bravely standing against it, stating, "Together, we must defeat it."

As Ukraine struggles to recover from the aftermath of the assault, Russian authorities reported their military successfully intercepting and neutralizing dozens of missiles and drones on Saturday. Sadly, this interception resulted in the death of 14 individuals, including two children, in the country's southwest.

The Russian defense ministry claimed that units in the Belgorod region thwarted an attempted terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime. According to reports, a man lost his life when a house was struck. Four individuals are currently receiving treatment for injuries, and 10 private homes suffered damage. The water supply in the city of Belgorod was also disrupted due to the attack.

In the midst of the escalating conflict, the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense revealed concerning statistics regarding Russian military casualties. The ministry disclosed that daily casualties, both killed and wounded, have risen to nearly 300 compared to the previous year. This significant increase is attributed to the degradation of Russia's forces and their transition to a mass army, following the "partial mobilization" of reservists in September 2022.

The Intelligence Update from the UK Ministry of Defense suggests that it could take between five and ten years for Russia to rebuild their highly trained military units. If casualties continue at the current rate, Russia is projected to sustain 500,000 military personnel killed and wounded by 2025, over the span of three years of war. This sobering statistic is remarkably higher than the Soviet Union's casualties of 70,000 during the nine-year Soviet Afghan War.

The intensification of attacks from Russia is further exacerbating the already dire situation in Ukraine. The international community continues to monitor the conflict closely, with hopes that a resolution and lasting peace can be achieved in the region.