Russia launches one of its biggest air attacks on Ukraine in nearly 2 years of war

Geoff Bennett:

Israeli forces are widening their offensive on the Central Gaza Strip after flattening much of the north. They targeted several refugee camps there today. And the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reports Israeli airstrikes killed at least 187 Palestinians since yesterday.

Meantime, tens of thousands of Gazans fled to the overwhelmed southern town of Rafah, many packing into tents hoping to find safety. But airstrikes there left some wondering why they left their homes in the first place.

Omar Qannan, Displaced Gazan (through interpreter):

We escaped from the shelling and came to Rafah, deemed a safe area. The Israeli army followed us with the rockets to the safe area. We should have stayed at home and died there.

Why did they ask us to leave? They are liars. They ask you to evacuate and send you to an area. And after many families gather there, they hit you.

Geoff Bennett:

And in a rare move, Israel admitted wrongdoing yesterday for Sunday's airstrike on the Maghazi refugee camp that killed at least 106 people. Israeli officials say the wrong type of munition was used.

Russia unleashed a massive, 18-hour aerial assault on Ukraine, killing at least 30 people. More than 140 others were injured. The barrage comes as Ukrainian officials are urgently pleading for more air defense systems from their Western allies.

Stephanie Sy has our report.

Stephanie Sy:

As the war in Ukraine nears the two-year mark, last night, Russia delivered one of the biggest air attacks since the conflict began.

Erika Stepaniuk, Lviv, Ukraine, Resident (through interpreter):

I have no window left. The glass has been shattered. It's everywhere. This is a huge shock for the children.

Stephanie Sy:

Russia launched more than a hundred missiles and dozens of drones across the region, targeting these seven cities.

In Dnipro, a maternity hospital and shopping mall were hit. In Kharkiv, rescuers uncovered an elderly man who was pinned under the rubble of a collapsed building. Firefighters in Kyiv were still trying to contain the blazes at a warehouse this morning.

Earlier this week, the Ukrainians blew up a Russian warship in Crimea. Ukraine says they have destroyed 20 percent of the Russian Black Sea fleet since the invasion began.

Kateryna Ivanivna, Kyiv, Ukraine, Resident (through interpreter):

I knew that it would not end well, that they would fire back very hard. I had a premonition.

Stephanie Sy:

The war has dragged on into a second winter with harsh conditions on the front lines. The security of utilities and power plants is crucial for Ukrainian survival as the temperatures drop.

In Poland a flying object crossed into airspace from the direction of Ukraine. Officials said it seems to have been a Russian rocket, raising concerns about the implications of targeting a NATO member. But the object left the airspace without incident.

Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, Polish Minister of Defense (through interpreter): Polish and allied systems worked. We and our allies are in constant contact.

Stephanie Sy:

Western nations have provided financial support since the war began, but patience is wearing thin. A Ukrainian air force spokesperson urged allies to stay involved.

Yuriy Ihnat, Ukrainian Air Force Spokesperson (through interpreter):

This is yet another sign for our partners to strengthen Ukraine with the required amount of air defense so that we could become the shield between the aggressor and Europe, so that we could protect ourselves and protect them.

Stephanie Sy:

American lawmakers are dragging their feet on further funding, having left for their holiday break without securing any more money for Ukraine.

President Biden released a statement saying: "Unless Congress takes urgent action in the new year, we will not be able to continue sending the weapons and vital air defense systems Ukraine needs to protect its people."

As the war rolls on, Ukrainians brace for the long road ahead.

For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm Stephanie Sy.