The southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhya was rocked by a Russian airstrike on Monday morning, causing injuries to sixteen individuals.

Shockingly, this was the first time the city had been targeted using deadly glide bombs, launched by Russian fighter jets and guided over long distances to cause devastation.

The attack destroyed 13 residential buildings, two kindergartens, and several vehicles, leaving the city reeling from the overnight assault.

Zaporizhzhya, located just 60 kilometres from the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, has become a key battleground in the ongoing conflict due to its strategic importance.

The use of these powerful glide bombs, carrying hundreds of kilograms of explosives, has already caused significant damage in other parts of Ukraine, including the eastern city of Kharkiv.

Facing this increased threat, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urgently appealed to Western nations for permission to use advanced Western weapons against Russian air bases near the front lines.

However, Ukraine’s allies have been hesitant, fearing that such actions could further escalate the conflict and lead to confrontation with Russia.

As the war continues, the situation for civilians in cities like Zaporizhzhya remains perilous, with critical infrastructure constantly at risk from Russian airstrikes and artillery fire.

Despite ongoing negotiations for military aid, the Ukrainian government is determined to find ways to defend its cities from devastating attacks while seeking stronger international support to counter Russia’s growing military capabilities.