Kyiv’s mayor reported that seven people, including a teenage girl, were wounded after Ukrainian air defense systems downed two Russian ballistic missiles over the capital, resulting in metal debris crashing to the ground. This incident marked the third aerial bombardment of the capital in just five days. Moscow has increased its attacks on Kyiv, targeting key infrastructure in response to fatal Ukrainian bombardments on Russian border regions. President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the need for better air defense systems to protect cities and save lives, calling on allies to help stop the terror.
Emergency workers were seen clearing concrete and bent metal from a building that was ripped open during the attack, while residents heard explosions and air raid sirens as officials urged them to seek shelter. Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that seven people were injured, including a teenage girl and two pregnant women with acute stress reactions. Two individuals were hospitalized while the others received treatment at the scene, with rescue efforts ongoing to clear the rubble. Kyiv’s military administration head revealed that Russia had launched two ballistic missiles from Crimea, both of which were shot down, but debris landed in several central districts, causing damage to buildings such as an arts academy and a gym.
The U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, condemned the attack, highlighting the urgent need for assistance and referencing a military aid package that has been delayed in the U.S. Congress. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba shared footage showing school children running to a shelter during the attack, emphasizing the necessity for increased air defense capabilities, including Patriot systems and missiles to repel Russian aggression. The Kyiv assault followed a Russian drone strike in southern Ukraine that wounded almost a dozen people, as well as a fire at a major Russian power plant triggered by a Ukrainian drone attack, causing power outages in the Black Sea territory of Mykolaiv and Odesa.
In Russia, a fire broke out at the Novocherkassk power station in Rostov following a wave of Ukrainian drone attacks, resulting in two power units being taken offline. Governor Vasily Golubev confirmed the incident, noting the plant’s significance as one of the largest in southwest Russia. The Rostov region shares a border with Ukraine and serves as the headquarters for Russia’s military command in their offensive on Kyiv. These events mark a continuing escalation of tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides engaging in aerial attacks on key infrastructure as the conflict intensifies. The need for international assistance and advanced air defense systems remains crucial to safeguard civilian lives and protect vital resources in the face of ongoing hostilities.
