RUSSIA - At least three people have been killed in Russian missile and drone at-tacks overnight on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, local officials said, as powerful explosions reverberated across the country.
The attacks followed a warning from Russian President Vladimir Putin, conveyed via United States President Donald Trump, that the Kremlin would hit back after Ukrainian drones destroyed several strategic bomber aircraft in attacks deep inside Russia. Kyiv’s military administration said three people were killed in the attacks on the Ukrainian capital after the mayor initially put the death toll at four. The three were first responders who had rushed to the scene of one of the strikes, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said. Multiple explosions were heard in Kyiv, where falling debris sparked fires across several districts as air defence systems attempted to intercept incoming targets, said Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Administration. Ukraine’s human rights chief, Dmytro Lubinets, called for a strong international response to the overnight attack, saying the assault violated basic human rights. Russia is acting like a terrorist, systematically targeting civilian infrastructure,” Lubinets wrote on Telegram. “The world must respond clearly and take concrete steps, including condemning the aggressor’s actions. Russia’s Ministry of Defence said on Friday that its forces had carried out a huge strike on military and military-related targets in Ukraine overnight, in response to what it called Ukrainian “terrorist acts” against Russia. We heard some of the drones go over this area in central Kyiv, giant explosions ringing out across the city, some so loud that they were shaking the glass here of our hotel. We’ve seen pictures of people who took shelter in the metro stations underground and underground car parks,” he said. Authorities reported damage in several districts, and rescue workers were responding at multiple locations. They urged residents to seek shelter. The Russian attack hit at least six regions across Ukraine, leaving a trail of civilian injuries, damaged infrastructure and disrupted utilities. Ukrainian authorities said Russian forces launched 407 drones and 45 missiles, including cruise and ballistic missiles. Ukraine said it succeeded in destroying about 200 drones and 30 missiles. (Al Jazeera)
