Russia unleashes 'massive attack' on Kyiv, killing at least five
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a children's hospital had been damaged in the overnight strikes.
Kyiv and its environs were hit by a "massive attack" of Russian missile strikes overnight, resulting in at least five fatalities, Ukrainian authorities reported.
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine (DSNS) confirmed that Thursday's assault targeted apartment complexes and warehouses, injuring a minimum of 23 individuals. Emergency teams are actively engaged in rescue efforts, having already extracted one survivor from the debris of collapsed structures, as they search for others who may be trapped.
In response to the Russian strikes on Ukraine, Poland's military declared its intention to initiate "preventative military aviation operations."
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated that a children's hospital sustained damage during the overnight attacks, with windows shattered and nearby vehicles set on fire. The mayor also noted that an industrial hub in the Solomyanskyi district, located in southwestern Kyiv, was struck by missiles.
In the broader Kyiv region, specifically the Brovary district, one man was killed and another injured in an attack, according to Kyiv regional governor Tymur Tkachenko. Earlier in the night, the regional administration had issued an alert advising residents to seek shelter, adding that "Air defense operations are possible in the area." Regional authorities continued to issue missile alerts throughout the night.
Kyiv has experienced nearly nightly attacks in recent weeks, with some evenings leading to numerous deaths and severe injuries. In retaliation, Russia has been subjected to Ukrainian missile and drone attacks, intensifying pressure on Moscow to participate in peace negotiations to conclude the four-and-a-half-year conflict. Russia initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and presently occupies approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, primarily concentrated in the eastern border regions.