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Russian forces attacked Kyiv with ballistic missiles early Saturday, Nov. 7, injuring two people and damaging residential buildings. The attack came three days before US-led peace talks between Ukraine and Russia were scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi, AnewZ reported.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said explosions had been heard around the capital and that the missiles targeted infrastructure. Missile debris fell on a five-story residential building in the western part of the city, while the facade of another residential building was also damaged.
The city’s military administration said a building housing a kindergarten was also damaged. Klitschko wrote on Telegram: “Explosions around Kyiv. The enemy is striking infrastructure with ballistic missiles.” A Reuters witness at the scene reported hearing loud explosions in the capital during the attack.
Officials continued to warn residents of possible further strikes several hours after the first explosions. Residential and educational buildings were reported damaged, but officials had not issued a final assessment of the overall extent of the destruction.
Zelenskyy warns of strikes on energy and transport infrastructure
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address on Friday evening that intelligence indicated Russia was preparing new strikes. He said energy facilities, bridges over the Dnieper River and civilian infrastructure could be targeted.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s Air Force and armed forces were preparing to defend the country. He stressed the need for interceptor missiles for Patriot systems, urged partners not to delay deliveries and called on people to remain cautious because of the threat of missile attacks. Ukrainian officials have not confirmed whether Saturday’s attack was connected to the preparations Zelenskyy described.
Abu Dhabi talks scheduled for Nov. 10
Ukrainian and Russian representatives are scheduled to meet under US leadership in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Nov. 10. The meeting will be another attempt to secure a settlement to the war. The previous round of talks in this format took place in February, Reuters reported.
The talks are set to take place amid more than four years of fighting since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The latest attack underscores the continuing contrast between diplomatic efforts to end the war and violence on the battlefield.
