Russia launched a major missile and drone attack on Ukrainian cities including Kiev, Dnipro and Kharkiv early Tuesday, killing at least nine people and injuring dozens.
It came after warnings that Moscow was planning a major attack.
Deaths are likely to increase
At least five people were killed and 25 injured in Dnipro, in eastern Ukraine, regional governor Oleksandr Hanza said on Telegram.
Sharing pictures of heavily damaged residential buildings and burnt vehicles, he said the injured have been admitted to hospital and their condition is said to be normal.
At least four people were killed and 51 others were injured in Kiev, according to Timur Tkachenko, the head of the capital’s military administration.
The death toll is expected to increase.
A suspected missile strike on a 24-storey apartment building in Kiev caused the building to collapse, with people likely trapped under the debris, Kiev Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said.
He said other buildings caught fire from suspected missile debris.
“Cars are burning after being hit by missile debris in the Obolon district,” Klitschko said. “There are also two fires in open areas, one of which is near a kindergarten.”
Air raid warnings were issued across much of Ukraine on Tuesday morning, forcing Kiev residents to seek refuge in shelters and underground metro stations. Many residents also faced power cuts and water supply problems.
At least 10 people were injured in Kharkiv, according to the mayor of the eastern city.
The Ukrainian Air Force said Moscow had used ballistic and cruise missiles in the attacks, something it has done before.
Zelensky’s warning became reality
Hours before the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had repeated warnings of a possible major Russian attack. He had urged residents to remain alert and pay special attention to air raid sirens.
“Intelligence warnings regarding Russian attacks are in effect. A major attack is possible, they have made a preparation,” Zelensky said in an overnight video address on Monday.
Russia warned last week that it intended to launch “systematic attacks” on Ukrainian military bases and decision centers in Kiev and urged foreigners to leave the capital.
This was in response to a drone attack on a dormitory in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region, which killed 21 people.
Ukraine has denied carrying out that attack.
Russia’s war in Ukraine has entered its fourth year, with Moscow increasingly targeting power supplies and Kiev targeting its rival’s oil facilities. Several attempts to mediate an end to the conflict have failed, particularly as global attention has drawn to the US–Israeli war with Iran.
Don’t let algorithms hide news. If you rely on our team for reliable reporting, Please take a moment to select us as your favorite source on GoogleThat’s why you’ll always see our verified news first.
Edited by: Shawn Sinico