Officials reported that before dawn on Thursday, Russia launched 31 ballistic and cruise missiles at Kyiv, marking the first attack on the Ukrainian capital in 44 days. Despite air defenses successfully intercepting all incoming missiles, 13 individuals, including a child, sustained injuries from falling debris.
Residents of Kyiv were startled awake by loud explosions around 5 a.m. as the missiles struck from various directions simultaneously, according to Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Administration.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched a total of two ballistic missiles and 29 cruise missiles targeting the capital.
Kyiv boasts stronger air defenses compared to many other regions across the vast country. With a frequently high rate of missile interceptions, Russian attacks on the capital have seen diminished success compared to the early days of the conflict.
An 11-year-old girl and a 38-year-old man were hospitalized in Kyiv, as reported by the city administration. Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated that eight other individuals sustained minor injuries.
Ukraine’s Emergency Service conducted the evacuation of around 80 people from their homes.
The impact of falling wreckage from intercepted missiles resulted in fires breaking out in at least one apartment building, damaging parked cars, and creating craters in streets and a nearby park. Debris, including shattered glass from windows, littered some streets.
After a series of aerial attacks by Ukraine on Russia’s Belgorod region near the Ukrainian border in recent days, Russia retaliated with the missile strike on Kyiv. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported that five individuals were injured in the latest attack on the Belgorod region on Thursday, which caused damage to homes and the city sports stadium. Russia’s Ministry of Defense stated that it intercepted 10 rockets over the region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a warning on Wednesday, stating that Russia would retaliate in a similar manner to the attacks. Speaking at an event in the Kremlin, Putin emphasized that Russia was prepared to respond in kind, targeting civilian infrastructure and other similar objects that may be under attack. He asserted Russia’s resolve to adhere to its outlined plans in response to such provocations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to the country’s Western allies, urging them to provide additional air defense systems. He emphasized the need to distribute these systems across Ukraine, particularly in areas where missile strikes have become increasingly frequent.
“Every day, every night such … terror happens,” he said on Telegram after Thursday’s attack on Kyiv. “World unity is capable to stop it by helping us with more air defense systems.”
Zelenskyy asserted that Russia lacks missiles capable of bypassing advanced air defense systems such as U.S.-made Patriots. However, Russia has shifted its focus towards other Ukrainian cities, employing drones and ballistic missiles for attacks.
Recent incidents include a Russian ballistic missile strike that claimed five lives and injured nine individuals in the eastern Kharkiv region on Wednesday. Additionally, a strike in southern Odesa last week resulted in the deaths of 21 people.
