On an overnight attack on Thursday, Russian missiles struck Kyiv, killing at least 12 people and injuring 33 others. Explosions were heard throughout the night, creating chaos in Ukraine’s capital.
According to Ukraine’s Emergency Service, the missiles impacted 12 locations within the Darnytskyi, Sviatoshynskyi, and Solomianskyi districts. The strikes severely damaged several residential buildings, a medical facility, and an educational institution. Emergency responders rushed to the sites, managing to rescue some trapped individuals from beneath the wreckage.
In the Solomianskyi district, the upper two floors of a nine-story residential building were destroyed, causing fires on lower levels. Residents also found themselves trapped in two additional residential buildings and a school shelter.
Amidst the destruction, 60-year-old Larysa Bondaruk expressed grief as she sat with her cat, Chanel, rescued from the debris. Her neighbor’s grandson was trapped and succumbed to injuries beneath the rubble. Two people from her building were killed. Bondaruk described the scene vividly, noting the immense noise and devastation as a rocket hit the roof.
She said, “There were columns of smoke, columns of fire, screams, crying, and despair.” She acknowledged the rescuers’ effectiveness and professionalism in managing the crisis.
The objectives of the Russian onslaught aim to deplete Kyiv’s air defense capabilities. Despite having limited systems to intercept such threats, Ukraine strives to protect its capital. Supplies for its Patriot air defense systems are consistently low.
Previously, President Donald Trump had permitted Ukraine to manufacture Patriot systems under licenses, although he later reversed the decision.
In retaliation, Ukraine has increased its long-range attacks targeting Russian military infrastructure to curb Moscow’s capacity to sustain assaults on Ukrainian cities.