Devastating Missile Attacks on Kyiv Leave Nine Dead and Sixty Injured
In a tragic escalation of violence in Ukraine, at least nine individuals lost their lives and over 60 were injured during a massive missile attack on the capital city, Kyiv, according to reports from Ukraine's state emergency service. This incident marks one of the deadliest episodes in the ongoing conflict that has persisted for three years.
Early Thursday morning, Ukrainian authorities issued a warning about incoming missile attacks, and AFP journalists reported hearing a series of explosions throughout the city. The state emergency service detailed on Telegram that the coordinated strike by Russia resulted in substantial chaos and damage across several districts in Kyiv.
Preliminary assessments indicate that nine people were killed and 63 others were injured, with six children among the 42 individuals who required hospitalization following the attack. The missile strikes resulted in damage to various infrastructure, including administrative buildings and residential areas, with fire outbreaks reported in garages that were subsequently extinguished. Emergency services are currently undertaking search operations to locate individuals who may be trapped under the rubble from the explosions.
Witnesses noted that a bomb shelter set up in the basement of a residential building became a refuge for more than a dozen residents seeking safety after the air alert was triggered. This marks a troubling return to the pattern of attacks on Kyiv, which had previously seen missile strikes in early April, causing injuries to at least three people. Since the full-scale invasion by Russia commenced in February 2022, Kyiv has been subjected to repeated assaults.
Simultaneously, the eastern city of Kharkiv was also targeted during the early hours of Thursday, suffering from seven missile strikes, as reported by mayor Igor Terekhov. In an alarming twist, the city faced a second wave of attacks from cruise missiles later in the night. One of the more severe impacts was in a densely populated residential area, leaving two individuals injured. Terekhov emphasized the ongoing inspection of strike sites and urged residents to remain vigilant.
Andriy Yermak, a senior aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, condemned the attacks, stating that Russia's intentions reflect a brutal desire to inflict harm on civilians. He called for an immediate cessation of violence against non-combatants, highlighting the grim reality of the attacks affecting not only military targets but also innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
As the conflict endures, the toll on human life and community stability continues to rise in both Kyiv and Kharkiv, serving as a stark reminder of the dire situation facing the residents of Ukraine amid relentless warfare.
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