In a significant escalation, Russia unleashed a large-scale missile and drone attack on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, early Monday, resulting in the deaths of at least nine individuals and injuring 46 others, including five children, according to Ukrainian officials. As rescue operations continued, authorities cautioned that the number of casualties could rise.
The assault, which took place overnight, caused extensive damage to residential buildings throughout Kyiv. Emergency services reported that no fewer than 15 apartment buildings were either damaged or destroyed. Among the hardest hit was a nine-story residential block located in the Podilskyi district, where rescue teams were actively engaged in efforts to extract people trapped beneath the debris.
In addition to the devastation in Kyiv, another fatality was reported in the Bucha district, situated northwest of the capital. Russia’s Defense Ministry acknowledged the operation, describing it as a “massive” strike executed using long-range missiles and drones. The ministry asserted that the targets were military, energy, and airfield infrastructure in Kyiv and several other regions across Ukraine.
This recent attack follows closely on the heels of another major Russian assault on Kyiv, which occurred just days prior and claimed the lives of at least 27 people, marking it as one of the deadliest incidents in the city this year. The ongoing conflict highlights the persistent volatility and danger faced by civilians in the region.
In related developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the ongoing hostilities around the strategic town of Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk region. He refuted Russian claims that the town has been captured, indicating that fighting in the area continues. The situation underscores the broader tensions and the relentless nature of the conflict between the two nations.