Reuters
It is one of the capital’s biggest artillery bombardment since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion
At least 15 people have been killed and dozens more have been injured in the Russian strike against the Ukrainian capital Kiev, officials say.
The overnight attacks up to Tuesday were one of Kiev’s biggest artillery fires since the start of a full-scale invasion more than three years ago.
Ukrainian Home Minister Ihol Klimenko said a total of 440 drones and 32 missiles have been released domestically.
Meanwhile, Russian air defense units intercepted and destroyed 147 Ukrainian drones overnight, Moscow’s defense ministry said.
Kyiv’s strike lasted for over nine hours. They sent residents fleeing to underground shelters from midnight until after sunrise.
Officials said a ballistic missile hit a nine-storey apartment in one district, causing fire to a total of 27 districts of the city.
A 62-year-old American citizen was among those killed, said Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
“Wake up in a complete nightmare: people trapped under a tiled rub and a complete building have collapsed,” Ukrainian MP Lecia Vasilenko wrote in X.
Klimenko said the rescue teams are still working to free people.
A loud explosion shaking the city, shaking along with the rattle of the machine guns that Mobile Ukrainian air defense units used to shoot down the drones.
Late in the morning, more sirens are disrupting rescue operations in the city, disrupting emergency workers and searching for survivors.
Russia has in recent weeks strengthened air attacks on Ukrainian cities, along with tactics that send a huge wave of drones and decoys designed to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses.
Kyiv launched its own attack as direct talks on the fighters failed to secure a ceasefire or a major breakthrough.
Reuters
Kiev was hit by a barrage of strikes overnight on Tuesday
President Volodymyr Zelensky called Russia’s latest wave of strikes “pure terrorism.”
He accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of carrying out a massive strike “just because he could afford to continue this war.”
“It’s a bad thing for powerful people in this world to turn a blind eye to this,” he said, adding, “Not just ordinary, peaceful people, they’re terrorists who should be in pain.”
The drone strike also raided the city of Odesa in southern Ukraine, killing one person and injuring at least 10 people, Klimenko said.
Zelenksy hoped to speak to President Donald Trump on the sidelines of Canada’s G7 Summit on Tuesday, but Trump shortened his stay amid the escalating crisis in the Middle East.
The news comes as a blow to Zelensky and his administration. His administration wanted to secure US support at the conference for Ukraine’s strategic and military goals.
Nevertheless, Britain and its allies are expected to announce additional sanctions against Russia on Tuesday in their continued efforts to maintain pressure on Moscow over the war in Ukraine.
