Kyiv Under Heavy Attack as Russia Launches Drones and Missiles
KYIV: On Sunday, Kyiv and its nearby areas faced one of the most intense attacks since the start of the four-year conflict, with Russia unleashing hundreds of drones and missiles, including a hypersonic Oreshnik missile near the capital.
The overnight assault, which lasted for hours, tragically resulted in four deaths and left over 80 individuals injured, as reported by Ukrainian officials. Numerous residential buildings and schools sustained heavy damage.
“It was a dreadful night for Kyiv,” said Mayor Vitali Klitschko in a Telegram update from one of the attack sites. “Right now, firefighters are battling blazes and clearing the wreckage, while medics tend to those injured.”
This attack marked only the third use of the Oreshnik missile in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. The missile, known for its long range and the ability to carry a nuclear warhead, targeted the city of Bila Tserkva, approximately 40 miles from Kyiv, different from the earlier strikes on major cities.
The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia fired a total of 90 missiles and 600 drones during this operation. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “It’s critical that this does not go unanswered by Russia,” and called for action from the United States, Europe, and other allies.
Additionally, Zelenskiy mentioned that Russian attacks also aimed at water supply facilities, noting their intention to disrupt access ahead of the summer, when demand typically rises. Russia claimed the strikes were a response to what they described as Ukrainian attacks on civilian locations within Russia, though Ukraine insists it does not target civilians.
According to Russian state news agency Interfax, the strikes were aimed at Ukrainian military command facilities, including sites used for land forces and military intelligence, air bases, and military-industrial locations.
Moscow continues to deny targeting civilians, despite the significant loss of life in Ukrainian cities throughout the ongoing conflict.
Explosions echoed through Kyiv shortly after 1 a.m. local time, following a warning from Ukraine’s air force about a potential Oreshnik missile strike.
