©picture alliance / Anadolu | State Emergency Service of Ukraine
Kyiv is in mourning following the heaviest Russian attack since 2022. At least 13 people were killed, and Ukraine declared a day of national mourning.
Kyiv has declared a day of mourning following one of the heaviest Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital since the war began in 2022. According to Mayor Vitali Klitschko, at least 13 people were killed and 86 others were injured, 70 of whom were hospitalized. He reported this via Telegram.
The attack took place on Wednesday night and struck several parts of the city. Ukrainian authorities reported damage at dozens of locations, including destroyed or damaged residential buildings, a hotel in the city center, and fires in apartment buildings. An ambulance station was also hit, while emergency services were still searching for victims amid the rubble.
The Ukrainian Air Force said that Russia had fired 74 missiles and 496 long-range drones. Most were shot down, but 25 ballistic missiles and 12 drones still struck 33 locations. According to the authorities, Kyiv was the main target of the attack.
Mayor Klitschko called it “a terrible night” for the capital. Friday has been declared a day of mourning in memory of the victims. President Volodymyr Zelensky had also warned earlier that Russia was preparing a new large-scale attack and called on citizens to remain extra vigilant. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told Reuters it was a “night of horror” and asked allies for more air defense capabilities. According to him, such attacks demonstrate that not only condemnation is needed, but above all concrete military support and additional pressure on Moscow.
The European Union has also reacted with horror. High Representative Kaja Kallas intends to propose new sanctions against companies that support the Russian military industry. According to her, words alone will not stop the attacks, and pressure on Russia must be further intensified. Russia, for its part, says it has struck military and energy infrastructure in Kyiv and surrounding regions in retaliation for Ukrainian drone attacks.
©picture alliance / Anadolu | State Emergency Service of Ukraine