Russian ballistic missiles struck Kyiv early Thursday, resulting in the deaths of at least three individuals and injuring 20 others, as confirmed by Mayor Vitali Klitschko. The attack caused significant damage to buildings and left parts of the Ukrainian capital without power. Mayor Klitschko reported a fire breaking out in a nine-story residential building hit by the Russian assault, with people trapped in various locations as the strikes targeted apartments, non-residential structures, warehouses, and even a children’s hospital. Witnesses reported hearing over a dozen explosions, and another fatality was recorded in the vicinity of the Ukrainian capital, according to a local official.
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has escalated since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with daily exchanges of attacks. Despite diplomatic efforts involving the United States and Europe, a lasting ceasefire has yet to be achieved. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had presented proposals to end the war to U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner earlier in the month. While the negotiators, who visited Moscow in January, have not made their way to Kyiv, Russia has expressed readiness to arrange a meeting with U.S. officials at short notice, according to Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for Russia’s foreign ministry.
In a related development, Ukraine launched a significant drone strike on Russian targets, including Moscow, showcasing its enhanced capability for long-range attacks and its ability to counter Russian military actions.