© Dmytro Tolokonov via Unsplash
At least 17 people were killed and 44 injured in a large-scale Russian attack involving missiles and drones on Kyiv and the surrounding region overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, according to The Kyiv Independent. Fires have been reported in the capital and the Kyiv region.
Ukraine reported that Russia fired 24 ballistic missiles, four hypersonic missiles, and 115 Shahed drones, and that none of the missiles were intercepted.
The heaviest casualties occurred in the Kyiv region, where 14 people were killed and 27 were injured, while one death and 24 injuries were reported in the city of Kyiv.
According to authorities, warehouses, civilian infrastructure, a train station, homes, and vehicles were hit, with damage and fires reported in various neighborhoods of the capital and nearby areas.
Ukrainian President Zelensky stated on X that Russia was targeting sites that “had nothing to do with the war: a brewery, warehouses for construction materials, and civilian logistics facilities.”
“Ballistic missile defense systems could have saved the lives of those who died today,” Zelensky added on social media. “It is of the utmost importance that our partners understand that delays in their delivery, or a reluctance to supply anti-ballistic systems, directly lead to such horrific casualties and destruction.”
"Partners who are not yet ready to play a more active role in supplying defense systems can help by imposing new sanctions," he continued. "A significant portion of Russia’s ballistic missile production is still not subject to sanctions. Not even now. New measures are needed from the G7, the European Union, and everyone who supports the protection of life. Thank you to those who are willing to help in this way.”
Kiev also came under fire on August 1: at least nine people were killed and more than 30 others were injured that day in a Russian ballistic missile attack.
Illustration picture: © Dmytro Tolokonov via Unsplash