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Nine people killed and dozens injured in ‘massive’ Russian missile attack on Kyiv Nine people killed and dozens injured in ‘massive’ Russian missile attack on Kyiv
(32 minutes later)
Five districts across Kyiv suffered damage in attack that is among the deadliest on the capital in the three-year warFive districts across Kyiv suffered damage in attack that is among the deadliest on the capital in the three-year war
At least nine people have been killed and more than 60 wounded in a “massive” missile attack on Kyiv, according to Ukraine’s state emergency service. It is among the deadliest attacks on the capital of the three-year war. At least nine people have been killed and more than 70 injured in Kyiv after Russia carried out one of the most devastating air attacks against Ukraine for months, with Kharkiv and other cities also targeted overnight.
Ukrainian authorities issued an alert for a missile attack, and AFP journalists heard explosions across the capital early on Thursday. Waves of drones as well as ballistic and guided missiles struck the Ukrainian capital early on Thursday. There were explosions for much of the night, beginning about 1am local time, and the rattle of anti-aircraft fire as Ukrainian defences tried to shoot the missiles down.
Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said rescuers were pulling survivors from under the rubble. The wounded included six children and a pregnant woman. A house, cars, and other buildings were set on fire, with extensive damage caused by falling debris in several districts, he said.
“Russia has launched a massive combined strike on Kyiv,” Ukraine’s state emergency service said on Telegram.“Russia has launched a massive combined strike on Kyiv,” Ukraine’s state emergency service said on Telegram.
“According to preliminary data, nine people were killed, 63 injured,” it said, adding that among the 42 people hospitalised, six were children. “According to preliminary data, nine people were killed, 63 injured,” it said.
Five districts across the capital suffered damage, including fires in garages and administrative buildings that have been extinguished. The state emergency service said the attack also damaged residential buildings. On Wednesday evening drones could be seen buzzing in the sky above the north-east Kharkiv region and flying over a forest. Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second city, was hit by seven missiles and 12 kamikaze drones in strikes throughout the night as black smoke plumed above the city.
“The search for people under the rubble is under way,” it said. According to Kharkiv’s mayor, Ihor Terekhov, several private houses, a factory and a high-rise apartment block were hit. “One of the most recent strikes hit a densely populated residential area. Two people were injured there,” he said, urging people to be “careful”.
Rescue teams were operating at 13 sites in the capital with climbing specialists and sniffer dogs, the emergency service said. The onslaught came as Donald Trump lashed out at Volodymyr Zelenskyy for failing to support a US “peace plan”, in which Crimea and other Ukrainian territories would be handed to Russia.
“Mobile telephones are heard ringing beneath rubble. The search will continue until it become clear that they have got everyone.” Trump on Wednesday accused Ukraine’s president of prolonging the “killing field” and making “very harmful” statements. Zelenskyy has ruled out recognising Crimea as Russian and says a complete ceasefire is needed before any settlement can be discussed.
In a bomb shelter set up in a basement of a residential building, more than a dozen residents gathered after the air alert started, an AFP journalist witnessed. Posting on social media, as Russian bombs fell around them, Ukrainians criticised Trump’s one-sided approach and his apparent indifference to Ukrainian civilian casualties. The massive attack suggested the Kremlin was not remotely interested in peace, they suggested.
Kyiv was last hit by missiles in early April when at least three people were wounded. Olga Rudenko, the editor of the Kyiv Independent newspaper, wrote: “Can’t begin to explain how surreal it is to be sitting on the floor in the safest place of my apartment hearing an extremely loud Russian missile+drone attack – after having spent entire day discussing and editing coverage of the US effectively demanding Ukraine’s surrender.”
It has been the target of sporadic attacks since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Euan MacDonald, a freelance journalist, added: “Great big bang in Kyiv, and another – incoming missiles. Shaheds also in city, just heard anti-aircraft guns. And two more big bangs just as I write … Not been this noisy for a while …”
In Ukraine’s east, the city of Kharkiv was hit by seven missiles early on Thursday, city mayor Igor Terekhov said, adding later that it was “under attack by cruise missiles for the second time in one night”. There were further attacks in the cities of Pavlohrad and Zhytomyr, as well as in the Zaporizhzhia region.
“One of the most recent strikes hit a densely populated residential area … Two people were injured there. The inspection of the sites of enemy strikes is underway,” Terekhov said, urging the city’s residents to “be careful”. In Kyiv some residents spent a sleepless night in the subway, which doubles as a missile shelter. According to the photographer Kostyantyn Liberov, Shahed drones struck the same district twice as rescuers and civilians were trying to free a young woman who was trapped in a collapsed building.
Andriy Yermak, a top aide to Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said Russia was attacking Kyiv, Kharkiv and other cities “with missiles and drones right now”. “Honey, we’ll get you out no matter what. We’re right here,” one of the rescuers reassured her, as the loud roar of a Shahed drone buzzed overhead, Liberov reported.
“Putin shows only a desire to kill,” he said. “The attacks on civilians must stop.” The videographer Anton Shtuka, who filmed the difficult rescue operation, remarked: “Sometimes it looks like these strikes hit our homes because [Vladimir] Putin feels US support and begins to pressure Ukraine even more.” He added, ironically: “Thank you, partners.”
Kyiv was last hit by missiles in early April when at least three people were wounded. It has been the target of sporadic attacks since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Andriy Yermak, the head of Zelenksyy’s office said: “Putin shows only a desire to kill. The attacks on civilians must stop.”