Explosions rocked Kiev late Wednesday into Thursday following a missile and drone assault by Russian forces. A central hotel and multiple residential buildings were engulfed in flames, according to reports from various outlets.
As a result of the attacks, Ukrainian officials have reported at least 13 deaths, with a significant number of casualties including children, as stated by Tymur Tkachenko, head of the military administration in Kiev.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 74 missiles and 496 drones during the night, primarily targeting the capital. Despite the country’s air defense systems successfully intercepting most of the attacks, 25 ballistic missiles and 12 drones struck 33 locations.
Initially, it was announced by Ukrainian authorities that the Russian strikes resulted in at least eight deaths and injuries to another 34 individuals. Tkachenko noted that several locations in the city suffered severe damage due to the bombings.
The scale of destruction in residential areas was emphasized by Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko, who shared on Telegram that multiple floors of a residential block had completely collapsed following a direct hit.
Klitschko described the events as a “fury-filled attack by the enemy” and urged residents to seek shelter during the night, stating, “Stay in shelters!” He also alerted that rescue teams were responding to another damaged nine-story building where individuals were trapped under rubble, while the roof of a nearby high-rise was already aflame.
Residents Seek Refuge in Metro Stations
The wave of strikes was particularly intense, impacting all 10 districts of Kiev on both sides of the Dnipro River.
The Russian military employed a devastating combination of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and kamikaze drones to breach air defenses.
Many residents managed to save themselves by quickly seeking refuge in underground metro stations. They acted promptly after President Volodymyr Zelensky and military leaders issued the first public warnings based on intelligence reports indicating a high probability of a nighttime attack.
Zelensky announced he would shorten his stay in Dublin, where he was attending the start of Ireland’s six-month presidency of the European Union.
In recent weeks, Moscow has significantly intensified its attacks on Kiev. This escalation occurs amid Ukraine’s intense drone strikes targeting military and energy facilities in Russia, causing fuel shortages and disrupting Moscow’s supply lines.
Poland Mobilizes Fighter Jets
Poland has urgently deployed fighter jets to protect its airspace in response to the wave of Russian missile strikes, as a precautionary measure for NATO’s eastern flank.
“These actions are preventive in nature and aim to secure and protect the airspace, especially in areas adjacent to threatened regions,” the Polish armed forces stated in a message on X.
