A devastating Russian missile strike has torn through the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil, resulting in massive casualties and destruction. The attack targeted residential buildings, leaving families trapped under mountains of debris as emergency services race against time to find survivors.
Casualty Figures and Immediate Impact
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, the brutal assault has claimed at least 26 lives with 22 people still missing. The strike occurred on November 20, 2025, around 7:50 PM IST, marking one of the deadliest attacks in western Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
The missile directly hit two nine-story apartment blocks constructed during the Soviet era. The impact was so powerful that it completely tore off the upper floors of both buildings, trapping numerous families beneath tons of collapsed concrete and steel. The scale of destruction has overwhelmed local authorities and rescue teams.
Massive Rescue Operation Underway
More than 200 emergency workers have been deployed to the disaster site, working tirelessly through the night in desperate search and rescue efforts. Using heavy cranes and specialized equipment, teams are carefully navigating the precarious collapsed sections of the buildings.
Officials have warned that the complex search operation could extend for several days due to the unstable nature of the debris and the extensive damage to the structures. The challenging conditions have significantly hampered rescue efforts, with workers facing the constant threat of further collapses.
Survivors and Human Cost
The human toll continues to mount, with at least 73 people injured, including 15 children who were caught in the devastating blast. In one of the most harrowing details from the attack, 19 victims were reportedly burned alive when the missile impact triggered fires that rapidly spread through the damaged buildings.
Local hospitals have been overwhelmed with casualties, many suffering from severe burns, crush injuries, and trauma. Medical staff are working around the clock to treat the injured while families desperately search for missing loved ones at the disaster site.
The Ternopil strike represents a significant escalation in the conflict, demonstrating Russia's willingness to target civilian infrastructure far from the front lines. As rescue operations continue, the international community watches with growing concern about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine.
