Two individuals lost their lives and 13 others sustained injuries in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, following strikes by Russian missiles and drones overnight, damaging infrastructure and energy facilities, as reported by Ukrainian authorities on Saturday. The attack in Kyiv resulted in multiple fires and destruction of residential structures, including a kindergarten, according to city officials. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko condemned the attacks, emphasizing that they targeted civilian and energy infrastructure, accusing Russia of aiming to create a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine during winter.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Russian missiles and drones also struck the energy grid, railroads, and residential areas in Dnipro, Kharkiv, and Sumy. The Russian Defence Ministry claimed responsibility for targeting Ukraine’s military-industrial complex and energy infrastructure facilities supporting its operations in overnight attacks. Additionally, the ministry reported downing 121 Ukrainian drones, including seven headed towards Moscow.
Amid large plumes of smoke over Kyiv on Saturday morning, firefighters worked to extinguish fires across the city, successfully containing one at a 140,000-square-foot warehouse with the aid of helicopters and putting out another in a different building. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the necessity of Patriot air defense systems in safeguarding Ukrainian cities from continual Russian assaults.
Zelenskyy stressed the importance of defending against the hundreds of ballistic and ‘Kinzhal’ missiles launched by Russia this year alone, advocating for the implementation of discussed strategies by capable partners. Ukraine is actively seeking a contract to purchase 25 Patriot air defense systems from the U.S. to enhance protection against Russian ballistic missiles. Zelenskyy called for support from America, Europe, and G7 nations to prevent such attacks from endangering lives.
Ukraine’s air force reported downing four missiles and 50 drones out of the nine missiles and 62 drones launched in the overnight strikes. The air force documented five direct missile hits and 12 drone impacts across 11 locations in the country.