Several waves of missile attacks rocked Kyiv and nearby regions through the night, targeting around 27 locations and resulting in significant damage to residential buildings, educational facilities, and critical infrastructure, officials reported. Among the most devastating incidents, a ballistic missile struck a nine-story residential building in the Solomianskyi district, obliterating a section of the structure and leaving a scene of destruction.
Emergency responders worked tirelessly amidst the chaos, sifting through debris and extinguishing flames. A crane was used to rescue a wounded elderly woman from an adjacent apartment, highlighting the urgent and harrowing efforts of rescue teams. Residents expressed their shock and horror at the severity of the attacks, with one local, Viktoriia Vovchenko, poignantly stating, “I have never seen anything like this before. It is simply horrific.”
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko confirmed that 14 individuals lost their lives in Kyiv, alongside one casualty in Odesa, with nearly a hundred more reported injured across the capital and other affected areas, including Chernihiv in the north. The grim toll included a 62-year-old U.S. citizen who succumbed to shrapnel wounds.
On the international front, Ukraine has escalated its drone operations, launching attacks deep inside Russian territory, though these have not yet resulted in comparable damage to civilian areas. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported the interception and destruction of 147 Ukrainian drones over its territory, including in the Moscow region, emphasizing the intensity of the ongoing conflict.
In the face of these attacks, it’s vital to remember the resilience of the affected communities and the bravery displayed by emergency responders. As the situation develops, support for those impacted and efforts to rebuild will be crucial in the coming days.