What happened on 23 November 2022 in Ukraine

What did a single day of Russian missile fire mean for Ukraine and its neighbours? On 23 November 2022, a new wave of cruise missile strikes hit the country, and the political reaction followed within hours.

At least six people, all civilians, were killed, including three in an apartment block in Vyshhorod, Kyiv Oblast, where 15 other people were injured. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that 21 of the 31 missiles targeting Kyiv were intercepted before they reached their targets.

Blackouts beyond the capital

Widespread blackouts were reported in Western Ukraine. Lviv was without power as the strikes continued. Moldova also reported "massive" power outages, although the country had not been directly hit by missiles.

Political and military responses

The same day, the European Parliament designated Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. It cited Russian strikes on civilian targets in Ukraine, including critical infrastructure, hospitals, schools and bomb shelters.

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announced that the United Kingdom would send three Sea King helicopters to the Ukrainian Air Force. They were part of a new £50 million support package.

Air defence on the Polish border

The day before, on 22 November 2022, Germany said it would deploy Patriot surface-to-air missile systems on the Poland–Ukraine border to protect Polish airspace. Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak said he had accepted the proposal.

The offer followed the explosion in the Polish village of Przewodów on 15 November 2022, which killed two people. Ukraine initially accused Russia of striking Poland, while the United States said the missile was likely an air defence missile fired by Ukrainian forces at an incoming Russian missile. Later, in September 2023, the Polish Prosecutor's Office stated that the blast was caused by an out-of-control Ukrainian S-300 air-defence missile.