A 4-year-old child was killed, injured and caused extensive damage: the consequences of the Russian attack on the Zhytomyr region

On the night of December 23, the Zhytomyr region was subjected to another massive attack by Russian troops. The Russians used suicide drones and cruise missiles. As a result of the shelling, civilians were injured, and destruction of residential and civil infrastructure was recorded, as well as power outages for consumers in the region.

Russian troops used suicide drones and cruise missiles.

The head of the Zhytomyr regional military administration, Vitaly Bunechko, reported on the consequences.

According to him, the Zhytomyr region was under intensive air strikes for the second day in a row. Hits or falling fragments of missiles and drones were recorded in various settlements of the region. Damage was caused to private and multi-storey residential buildings, civilian enterprises, shops, utility buildings, and vehicles.

Initially, six victims were reported, including two children. One child and one adult were hospitalized. Subsequently, Vitaliy Bunechko informed that one of the injured children — born in 2021 — died in the hospital. Doctors fought for her life, but the child could not be saved. Another child and an adult are currently in medical institutions in the region. In total, five injured and one deceased 4-year-old child have been confirmed.

It is known that damage was recorded, in particular, in settlements near Zhytomyr, in the Stanyshivska community, as well as in the regional center itself. According to the Zhytomyr City Council, dozens of residential buildings on several streets, enterprises and outbuildings were destroyed in the city. On social networks, residents reported broken windows and damaged roofs in high-rise buildings, in particular in the area of ​​Vitruka Street.

The attack also damaged the energy infrastructure. Joint-Stock Company “Zhytomyr Energy” reported the introduction of emergency power outages in the region after a corresponding command from the national energy company “Ukrenergo”. The regional energy company noted that these measures are aimed at maintaining the stability of the power system.

During a briefing on the morning of December 23, Acting Minister of Energy Artem Nekrasov reported that Russia had carried out the ninth massive attack on the power system of Ukraine since the beginning of the year. As a result of the shelling, power outages were recorded in a number of regions, including the Zhytomyr region. Emergency restoration work will begin immediately after the security situation allows it. Emergency power outage schedules have been applied throughout the country for the period of liquidation of the consequences.

Rescuers, medics, law enforcement officers, explosives technicians, representatives of the Security Service of Ukraine and government agencies are working at the sites of destruction in Zhytomyr and the region. Specialists of the State Environmental Inspectorate of the Polissya District are also involved in recording the consequences. Inspectors are examining the places of arrival to record the environmental damage caused by destruction and fires.

The State Environmental Inspectorate reported that based on the results of the examinations, a calculation of environmental damage will be made. The collected materials will be transferred to the relevant bodies, the prosecutor’s office and law enforcement agencies for entering information into the register of war crimes, as well as for further work on bringing the aggressor country to justice.