In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Russia launched a barrage of 31 ballistic and cruise missiles at Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, marking the first direct attack on the city in 44 days. The assault came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed revenge, following repeated Ukraine aerial attacks near the border. The missile barrage resulted in injuries to 13 people, including an 11-year-old girl and a 38-year-old man, as reported by Ukrainian officials.
According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia deployed two ballistic missiles and 29 cruise missiles in the early hours of Thursday. The missiles were intercepted by Kyiv’s robust air defense systems, preventing any direct hits on targets. However, falling wreckage from intercepted missiles caused damage, including fires in residential areas, burned vehicles, and craters in streets and parks.
The missile strikes jolted Kyiv residents awake with loud explosions around 5 a.m. Survivors described harrowing experiences, with some narrowly escaping harm as their homes were damaged or destroyed. Emergency services evacuated around 80 people from affected areas, and medical teams treated the injured, including those hospitalized with varying degrees of injuries.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, calling for increased support from Western allies in the form of air defense systems to counter escalating missile threats. He highlighted the ongoing terror faced by Ukrainians and urged global unity to halt such aggression.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking from the Kremlin, defended the retaliatory strike as a response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory. He warned of further actions targeting civilian infrastructure if Ukraine continues its offensive operations.
European Union leaders, meeting in Brussels, discussed measures to enhance arms and ammunition production for Ukraine. The focus was on bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities amidst intensified Russian assaults on multiple Ukrainian cities, including Kharkiv and Odesa.
The missile attack on Kyiv underscores the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides trading retaliatory strikes. The civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure highlight the human cost of the conflict, prompting calls for international intervention to de-escalate the situation and prevent further bloodshed.
Sources By Agencies
