Deadly strikes on Kyiv after Zelenskyy warns of ‘massive’ Russian attack

Russian missile strikes hit Kyiv on Thursday, killing at least one person and causing fires in several districts, according to city authorities. The attack followed a warning from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Russia had prepared a "massive attack" and that there was a high probability of it occurring overnight.

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Sadly, one death has been confirmed.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that the capital was attacked with ballistic weapons and that the threat of further attacks remained. In the western city of Lviv, residential buildings were damaged by Russian air raids, as confirmed by Mayor Andriy Sadovyi. Zelenskyy had urged citizens across Ukraine to heed air raid alerts and stay safe.

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The enemy is attacking the capital with ballistic weapons. The threat of further attack remains present. Stay in shelters!

As the attacks unfolded, Poland, a neighbor of Ukraine, scrambled fighter jets and an early warning aircraft to protect its airspace. Its armed forces also put ground-based air defense and radar systems on high alert. Zelenskyy again appealed to Ukraine's allies, emphasizing that the protection of lives depends on their willingness to provide much-needed air defense missiles.

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The Russians prepared a massive attack several days ago, and there is a high probability that the strike will be carried out tonight … Please, in all regions of Ukraine, pay attention to air raid alerts today and stay safe.

Meanwhile, in Russia, a warehouse belonging to online retailer Wildberries in the city of Penza caught fire due to a Ukrainian drone attack. The regional governor reported one person injured and approximately 200 people evacuated from the site.

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It is important that our partners fully understand what is happening and that the protection of people’s lives depends directly on their willingness, or lack of willingness, to provide air defence missiles.