Kyiv, Ukraine — In a pre-dawn assault on Thursday, Russia unleashed 31 ballistic and cruise missiles towards Kyiv, marking the first strike on the Ukrainian capital in six weeks. Thankfully, all the incoming missiles were successfully intercepted by the city's air defenses. However, 13 individuals, including a child, sustained injuries from the falling debris.
The residents of Kyiv were startled from their slumber by the deafening explosions at approximately 5 a.m. as the missiles descended from various directions simultaneously, as per Serhii Popko, the head of the Kyiv City Administration.
Ukraine's air force confirmed that Russia fired two ballistic missiles and 29 cruise missiles targeting the capital.
Kyiv boasts superior air defense systems compared to other parts of the country, resulting in a high rate of missile interceptions. This has significantly reduced the success of Russian attacks on the capital compared to the initial stages of the conflict. Nevertheless, Ukrainian authorities emphasize the urgent need for additional Western weaponry to counter Russia's invasion.
The assault followed Russian President Vladimir Putin's warning on Wednesday to retaliate against recent Ukrainian aerial strikes on Russia's Belgorod region near the Ukrainian border.
During an event at the Kremlin, Putin mentioned that Russia is prepared to retaliate in a similar manner concerning civilian infrastructure and other targeted objects. He emphasized that Russia has its own strategies and plans in place, and they will be executed as outlined.
Following the incident, an 11-year-old girl and a 38-year-old man were taken to the hospital in Kyiv, as reported by the city administration. Additionally, eight individuals suffered minor injuries, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
The Emergency Service of Ukraine confirmed the evacuation of approximately 80 residents from their homes.
Debris from the intercepted missiles caused fires in at least one apartment building, damaged parked vehicles, and created craters in streets and a nearby park. Streets were left scattered with remnants, including shattered glass from windows.
Survivors, visibly emotional and in tears, received medical attention from emergency personnel on the streets as they recounted their harrowing experiences.
Raisa Kozenko, a 71-year-old resident whose apartment suffered significant damage, shared that her son narrowly escaped the blast just in time.
"He was injured and covered in debris," she recounted, visibly shaken. "Our apartment is completely ruined."
Mariia Margulis, 31, explained that a quick decision to remain in the corridor during the attack protected her family.
"The force of the explosion shattered all the windows on one side of our home," she described. "I had insisted that my mother stay in the corridor, which ultimately saved us."
In the most recent assault on the Belgorod region, five individuals were wounded, causing damage to residences and the city's sports stadium, as stated by Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.
The Ministry of Defense of Russia reported intercepting 10 rockets over the region.
The attack on Kyiv took place shortly after a visit to the city by Jake Sullivan, President Joe Biden's top foreign policy adviser.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, has called on the country's Western allies to provide more air defense systems that can be deployed across the nation, where missile attacks have become increasingly frequent.
"Every day, every night such ... terror happens," he expressed on Telegram following the assault on Kyiv on Thursday. "World unity has the power to halt it by supporting us with additional air defense systems."
Zelenskyy mentioned that Russia lacks missiles that can bypass U.S.-made Patriots and other sophisticated air defense weaponry. Additionally, his administration has openly appealed to U.S. legislators to approve a further aid package for Ukraine that has been delayed for months due to political disputes in Washington.
Reporting from the front lines in late February, it was observed that Russia's invading forces have been exploiting Ukraine's severe shortages of weapons and equipment to make territorial gains this year. A top U.S. Army official also expressed concern, cautioning that without new funding for Ukraine's war efforts, the financial stability of American military operations across Europe and Africa could be jeopardized.
During a summit in Brussels on Thursday, European Union leaders were discussing potential strategies to enhance arms and ammunition production for Ukraine.
Recent reports indicate that Russia has shifted its focus to other Ukrainian cities, utilizing drones and ballistic missiles for attacks. Tragically, on Wednesday, Russian ballistic missiles caused the deaths of five individuals and left nine others injured in the eastern Kharkiv region. Additionally, a strike on southern Odesa the previous week resulted in the loss of 21 lives.
