Russian missile strikes targeted Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, early Thursday, resulting in injuries to at least 11 individuals, according to local authorities. The city remains on high alert as officials warned of potential incoming missile threats.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported on Telegram that the assault on the capital continues and that enemy drones were still making their way toward the city. Witnesses in the area reported hearing significant blasts throughout the night, with bright flashes lighting up the sky from air defense systems responding to the threat.
Initial reports indicated five people were injured, with four requiring hospitalization. However, Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, later updated the number of wounded to 11. Authorities emphasized the possibility of the enemy deploying ballistic weapons, with Ukraine’s air force confirming that a group of missiles was heading towards the capital from the east.
Amid the chaos, many residents took refuge in a central metro station, using mats for bedding and calming their pets as they waited for the threat to subside. Mayor Klitschko noted that falling debris from the strikes caused fires in buildings across the Solomyansky and Shevchenkivsky districts. Additional fires broke out in garages and a gas station in the Darnytsky district due to drone debris.
In a precautionary message, Tkachenko urged residents to prioritize their safety over capturing footage of the strikes. He stressed that sharing images or videos could pose risks, as they could be exploited by the enemy.
This updated wave of assaults follows a significant attack by Russian forces the previous day, marking the most extensive missile and drone offensive in over three years of conflict, which resulted in at least one civilian casualty. Observers note a troubling trend in increasing intensity of attacks, which have put considerable strain on Ukraine’s already limited air defenses and caused significant distress among the civilian population.
On the diplomatic front, despite two rounds of direct talks this year leading to some prisoner exchanges, there have been no advances toward establishing a ceasefire, an objective supported by both the United States and Ukraine. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday during an ASEAN meeting in Malaysia, potentially addressing the ongoing tensions.
