A significant Russian attack on Kyiv overnight has resulted in at least 15 deaths and numerous injuries, marking a dangerous intensification of hostilities in the ongoing war.
Deadly Russian Bombardment Hits Kyiv in Major Escalation of Conflict
Deadly Russian Bombardment Hits Kyiv in Major Escalation of Conflict
At least 15 casualties reported as Kyiv faces one of its largest air strikes since the invasion began.
At least 15 people have been killed and numerous others injured following extensive Russian aerial assaults on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. This attack, which occurred overnight into Tuesday, is recognized as one of the most devastating since Russia’s full-scale invasion commenced over three years ago.
Ukrainian interior minister Ihor Klymenko reported that a staggering 440 drones and 32 missiles were launched nationwide, underscoring the scale of the attack. Simultaneously, Moscow's defense ministry claimed that Russian air defense systems managed to intercept and destroy 147 Ukrainian drones.
The strikes on Kyiv persisted for more than nine hours, prompting residents to seek refuge in underground shelters from midnight until daybreak. A ballistic missile struck a nine-storey residential building, with shelling affecting all 27 districts of Kyiv. "Waking up in utter nightmare: people trapped under rubble and full buildings collapsed," lamented Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko in a post on X, stressing the severity of the situation.
With loud explosions frequenting the city, the sound of machine guns from mobile Ukrainian air defense units attempting to shoot down approaching drones further contributed to the chaos. The day was marked by ongoing air raid sirens disrupting rescue missions, hampering efforts to locate survivors amidst the debris.
This recent surge in airstrikes fits into a broader pattern of intensified Russian assaults on Ukrainian cities, employing large-scale drone waves and decoys to outmatch Ukrainian defense systems. Despite these aggressions, Kyiv has also launched counterattacks, as diplomatic negotiations aimed at reaching a ceasefire have stagnated.
In response to the onslaught, President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced Russia’s campaign of strikes as “pure terrorism,” alleging that President Vladimir Putin continues such measures primarily because he has the means to do so. Zelensky highlighted the profound injustice of powerful nations ignoring the plight of ordinary civilians caught in the crossfire, asserting that it is the aggressors who should pay the price, not innocent lives.
Drone attacks were also reported in Odesa, where one individual was killed and at least ten others sustained injuries. Zelensky had anticipated a crucial discussion with US President Donald Trump during the G7 summit in Canada, but Trump's premature departure amid the escalating Middle East crisis undermined these hopes for enhanced military support for Ukraine.
