Russia has launched a series of massive aerial strikes against Kyiv, resulting in significant casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, the Russian military conducted a large-scale attack on the Ukrainian capital overnight, utilizing both unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles.
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine (DSNS) reported that the strikes caused severe damage to residential buildings and ignited fires in several locations. At least 13 people have been confirmed dead, while 34 individuals were rescued from the rubble. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated that the number of injured has reached 86.
Following the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was on an official visit to Dublin, Ireland, cut his trip short to return to his country. He has reportedly ordered an immediate strengthening of security measures across the nation.
The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed the strikes, characterizing them as a response to alleged Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure within Russian territory. The ministry claimed that the operation targeted military and energy facilities around Kyiv, as well as military airfields in the Poltava and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which escalated significantly in February 2022, has frequently seen major urban centers targeted by aerial bombardments. These attacks continue to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the region, drawing international concern regarding the protection of civilian populations and critical infrastructure.
