Night attack on Kyiv: Explosions, fires, and a day of mourning

Kyiv experienced one of its largest attacks as Russian missiles and drones struck the capital overnight, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens. Residents spent the night in metro stations, basements, and underground garages as explosions and fires raged.

Residential buildings suffered significant damage, with fires burning on multiple floors. "The air raid siren went off. We were sleeping. Then we heard the siren and got up. There were explosions and explosions and explosions. We took shelter in the bathroom. We heard glass breaking. That's how it happened," recounted resident Kateryna Piskunova, 37.

Officials reported that at least 30 buildings in Ukraine's capital were damaged. The strikes hit a warehouse that burned, shops, and a children's hospital. Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko described the attack as combined, involving ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, which caused "great damage" in three districts.

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The air raid siren went off. We were sleeping. Then we heard the siren and got up. There were explosions and explosions and explosions. We took shelter in the bathroom. We heard glass breaking. That's how it happened.

Anastasia Kovtun, 31, described seeking shelter in an underground parking lot about 500 meters away. "We avoided the missile by ten minutes. And when we were returning, the whole road was bombed out, and the buildings next to the road were damaged. Now we are waiting to be let into our apartments to get some things," she said. Another resident, Oleksandr Hnyatyuk, whose car was destroyed, stated, "I was inside the building when it happened. And when it hit. I don't remember what happened."

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian forces shot down 98% of cruise missiles and a significant percentage of drones but highlighted ballistic missiles as the main challenge. "Unfortunately, at a time when Moscow is investing in ballistic missiles and escalation, the global response to such strikes is not adequate. And as long as Ukraine does not have enough antiballistic missiles, Moscow will not seriously consider peace," Zelenskyy stated. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed strikes targeted ammunition depots, drone assembly sites, and a Ukrainian missile production facility, omitting any mention of civilian infrastructure.

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Nažalost, u trenutku kada Moskva ulaže u balističke rakete i eskalaciju, globalni odgovor na takve udare nije adekvatan. I sve dok Ukrajini ne bude imala dovoljno antibalističkih raketa, Moskva neće ozbiljno razmatrati mir.