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Russia bombards Kyiv with eight ballistic missiles day after Putin speech Russia bombards Kyiv with eight ballistic missiles day after Putin speech
(33 minutes later)
Mayor accuses Moscow of genocide, saying latest strike shows Putin’s indifference to women and childrenMayor accuses Moscow of genocide, saying latest strike shows Putin’s indifference to women and children
Russia has hit Kyiv with eight powerful ballistic missiles, a day after Vladimir Putin claimed his troops were winning on the battlefield and that his maximalist goals to seize more territory in Ukraine were unchanged. Russia has fired eight ballistic missiles on Kyiv a day after Vladimir Putin claimed his troops were winning on the battlefield and that his maximalist goals to seize more territory in Ukraine were unchanged.
Several explosions were reported in Kyiv on Friday around 7am local time. Ukraine’s air force said it had shot down eight Khinzal and Iskander-M missiles, with debris falling in several districts of the city. One person was killed and at least 12 were injured. Several explosions were reported in Kyiv at around 7am on Friday. Ukraine’s air force said it shot down eight Khinzal and Iskander-M missiles, with debris falling in several districts of the city. One person was killed and at least 12 were injured.
Residents woke to the sound of loud booms and wailing air raid sirens. One intercepted missile fell on the Toronto business centre, smashing its top storey, and setting fire to cars parked in the street beneath. A mangled vehicle was tossed over a fence. Residents woke to the sound of loud booms and air raid sirens. One intercepted missile fell on the Toronto business centre, smashing its top storey and setting fire to cars parked in the street below. A mangled vehicle was tossed over a fence.
The complex was home to Superhumans, a prosthetics and rehabilitation centre for wounded Ukrainian soldiers. Its founder Andrey Stavnitser said his office was devastated. “It’s scary to think what would have happened if our glass room had been blown a couple of hours later,” he posted. The complex was home to Superhumans, a prosthetics and rehabilitation centre for wounded Ukrainian soldiers. Its founder, Andrey Stavnitser, said his office was devastated. “It’s scary to think what would have happened if our glass room had been blown a couple of hours later,” he posted.
The same blast broke stained glass windows in the St Nicholas Roman Catholic church opposite. The church’s facade, rose window and external and internal glazing were damaged. Stairwells leading to its gothic spires, built early in the 20th century, were wrecked.The same blast broke stained glass windows in the St Nicholas Roman Catholic church opposite. The church’s facade, rose window and external and internal glazing were damaged. Stairwells leading to its gothic spires, built early in the 20th century, were wrecked.
The Unesco-listed building is the second oldest church in the capital. Windows in the national house of music next door were shattered too. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, at least 1,222 cultural heritage sites have been broken or destroyed, Ukrainian officials said. The Unesco-listed building is the second oldest church in the capital. Windows in the national house of music next door were shattered. Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, at least 1,222 cultural heritage sites have been broken or destroyed, Ukrainian officials said.
The attack caused minor damage to diplomatic buildings including the Portuguese embassy. Albania and Montenegro’s missions are located in the same block. “This was a very intense attack by the Russian Federation. It is absolutely unacceptable for attacks to damage or target diplomatic facilities,” said Paulo Rangel, the Portuguese foreign minister. The attack caused minor damage to diplomatic buildings, including the Portuguese embassy. The missions of Albania and Montenegro are in the same block.
Touring the devastation on Friday, Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, accused Russia of “genocide”. “There is no justification for this,” he said. He said the latest strike showed Putin’s complete indifference to the deaths of women and children. “We need air defences,” he said. Paulo Rangel, the Portuguese foreign minister, said: “This was a very intense attack by the Russian Federation. It is absolutely unacceptable for attacks to damage or target diplomatic facilities.”
Remains from another rocket crashed into the Holosiivskyi district, where one person was killed. Six people were admitted to hospital. Rescuers spent the morning putting out fires and clearing up rubble. The attack left 630 buildings without heating and power. Touring the devastation on Friday, Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, accused Russia of “genocide” and said: “There is no justification for this.” He said the latest strike showed Putin’s complete indifference to the deaths of women and children. “We need air defences.”
“The morning in Kyiv was truly devastating. The missiles were frighteningly close to our office. The offices of our clients sustained significant damage,” said Yuliia Kuznets of the law firm VB Partners. “Thank goodness it was early morning and not many people were injured.” Remains from another missile crashed into the Holosiivskyi district, where one person was killed. Six people were admitted to hospital and rescuers spent the morning putting out fires and clearing up rubble. The attack left 630 buildings without heating and power.
Since its all-out attack in 2022, Russia has regularly launched missiles at Ukrainian towns and cities. In recent months it has systematically targeted the country’s power infrastructure, in an attempt to demoralise the population and leave it freezing during winter months. Yuliia Kuznets, of the law firm VB Partners, said: “The morning in Kyiv was truly devastating. The missiles were frighteningly close to our office. The offices of our clients sustained significant damage. Thank goodness it was early morning and not many people were injured.”
Friday’s combined attack featured Khinzal missiles launched by Russian fighter jets, as well as Iskander-Ms fired from ground platforms. North Korean KN-23 missiles – sent by Pyongyang to Moscow earlier this year – may also have been deployed, Ukraine’s air force said. Since its all-out attack began, Russia has regularly launched missiles at Ukrainian towns and cities. In recent months it has systematically targeted the power infrastructure in an attempt to demoralise the population and leave it freezing during the winter months.
Speaking on Thursday at an end-of-year press conference, Putin claimed the war had made Russia “much stronger”. He said he was ready to meet the incoming US president, Donald Trump, to discuss peace proposals. But he repeated his hardline stance that Moscow would keep control of Crimea, plus four Ukrainian regions supposedly “annexed” in 2022. Friday’s attack featured Khinzal missiles launched by Russian fighter jets, as well as Iskander-Ms fired from ground platforms. North Korean KN-23 missiles – sent by Pyongyang to Moscow earlier this year – may have been deployed as well, Ukraine’s air force said.
Also on Friday, Russian carried out a significant barrage on the southern city of Kherson. One person was killed and nine others injured, during bombardment at 8am with heavy artillery and rockets. Ukraine’s armed forces said they had foiled an attempt by Russian troops to cross the Dnipro river near the city’s ruined Antonivskyi bridge. Speaking on Thursday at an end-of-year press conference, Putin claimed the war had made Russia “much stronger”. He said he was ready to meet the incoming US president, Donald Trump, to discuss peace proposals. But he repeated his stance that Moscow would keep control of Crimea, plus four Ukrainian regions “annexed” in 2022.
Russia carried out a separate barrage on the southern city of Kherson on Friday. One person was killed and nine others injured during bombardment by heavy artillery and rockets at 8am. Ukraine’s armed forces said they had foiled an attempt by Russian troops to cross the Dnipro River near the city’s ruined Antonivskyi Bridge.