31 Missiles Launched At Kyiv Following Putin’s Retaliation Pledge; 13 Injured

In a significant escalation, Russia launched 31 ballistic and cruise missiles at Kyiv before dawn on Thursday, marking the first attack on the Ukrainian capital in 44 days, according to officials. Despite the intensity of the assault, all incoming missiles were intercepted by air defenses. However, 13 individuals, including a child, sustained injuries from falling wreckage.

The residents of Kyiv were jolted awake by the sound of explosions around 5 a.m. as the missiles descended from various directions simultaneously, as reported by Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Administration. Ukraine’s air force confirmed that Russia deployed two ballistic missiles and 29 cruise missiles during the assault on the capital.

Kyiv boasts superior air defenses compared to many other regions in Ukraine, resulting in a high rate of missile interceptions. Nevertheless, Ukrainian officials emphasize the necessity for increased Western support, particularly in terms of weaponry, to effectively counter Russia’s ongoing invasion.

Following the attack, an 11-year-old girl and a 38-year-old man were hospitalized, with eight others sustaining minor injuries, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Approximately 80 individuals were evacuated from their homes by Ukraine’s Emergency Service.

The wreckage from intercepted missiles ignited fires in at least one apartment building, damaged parked vehicles, and left craters in streets and a nearby park. Streets were strewn with debris, including shattered glass from windows.

Survivors, visibly shaken and some in tears, recounted their harrowing experiences, highlighting fortunate escapes. Raisa Kozenko, a 71-year-old resident whose apartment suffered extensive damage, described her son narrowly avoiding injury amidst the chaos.

The attack occurred shortly after a visit to Kyiv by President Joe Biden’s top foreign policy adviser, Jake Sullivan, and amid recent Ukrainian aerial assaults on Russia’s Belgorod region near the Ukrainian border.

In a separate incident on Thursday, five people were injured in an attack on the Belgorod region, damaging homes and a city sports stadium, according to Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov. Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed to have intercepted 10 rockets targeting the region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, responding to the attacks, threatened retaliation during an event in the Kremlin, asserting Russia’s capability to respond to assaults on civilian infrastructure. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to Western nations for additional air defense systems to mitigate the escalating missile strikes across the country.

Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of global unity in combating the ongoing violence, highlighting the need for enhanced air defense capabilities to deter Russian aggression. At a summit in Brussels, European Union leaders discussed strategies to bolster arms and ammunition production for Ukraine as the conflict continues to unfold.

Amidst shifting tactics, Russia has redirected its focus to other Ukrainian cities, employing drones and ballistic missiles. Recent attacks in the eastern Kharkiv region and southern Odesa have resulted in casualties, underlining the persistent threat faced by Ukrainian civilians.

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