Russia-Ukraine War: At least one person died as Russia attacked, with Kiev residents again scrambling for shelters to escape a relentless wave of daylight and night-time bombardments. At least 20 martyr drones were destroyed by air defense forces in Kiev’s airspace in Russia’s third attack on the capital in the past 24 hours, according to the Kiev military administration.
The rumble of the drones could be heard over the city, followed by loud explosions as they were taken down by air defense systems. In Moscow, residents heard explosions and Mayor Sergei Sobyanin later confirmed that a drone strike had taken place. Sobyanin said in a Telegram post that the attack caused “insignificant damage” to several buildings and that no one was seriously hurt. Sobyanin said residents of two buildings damaged in the attack had been evacuated.
Andrei Vorobyov, governor of the wider Moscow region, later said that ‘several drones were shot down on their way to Moscow.’ There was no immediate comment from Ukrainian officials on the attacks. Officials said earlier this month two drones targeted the Kremlin in what was dubbed an attempt on President Vladimir Putin’s life, the second attack on Moscow.
In attacks overnight in Kiev, one person was killed and three were injured when a fire broke out in a high-rise building in the Holosiv district. It was not immediately clear what caused the fire, but debris often falling from drones and interceptor missiles has caused damage to the ground.
The Kiev military administration said the upper two floors of the building were destroyed and that there may be people under the rubble. More than 20 people were evacuated. Resident Valeria Oreshko told The Associated Press afterward that even though the immediate threat was over, the attacks had thrown everyone on edge. “You’re glad you’re alive, but think about what’s next,” the 39-year-old said. Oksana, who gave only her first name, said the whole building shook when it hit.
“Get under cover, because you really don’t know where it (the drone) will fly,” he advised others. “We stop.” According to the military administration, debris falling in other parts of the capital caused a fire in a private house in the Dernitsky district and three cars in the Pechersky district. The series of attacks that began on Sunday included a rare attack in daylight on Monday that sent plumes of white smoke into a blue sky.
That day, according to Ukraine’s Chief of Staff Valery Zaluzny, Russian forces fired 11 ballistic and cruise missiles at Kiev at approximately 11:30 p.m. All were shot, he said. The Kiev military administration said debris from intercepted missiles fell in the central and northern districts of Kiev during the morning, hitting a city street amid traffic and also starting a fire on the roof of a building. At least one civilian was reported injured.
The Russian Defense Ministry said it carried out a series of long-range air-launched missiles targeting Ukrainian air bases in the early hours of Monday. It claimed that the attacks destroyed command posts, radars, aircraft and ammunition stores. It said nothing about hitting cities or other civilian areas.
(with inputs from AP)
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