Kyiv was struck by a series of powerful explosions early on Thursday, setting off fires that spread throughout the Ukrainian capital as Russia initiated a fierce attack using ballistic missiles and drones.
As air-raid sirens blared across the city, residents of Kyiv rushed to underground stations with their pets and essentials, bracing themselves against the relentless blasts. Prior warnings had indicated an imminent large-scale offensive.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as reported by The New York Times, advised citizens to take air-raid alerts seriously and exercise caution, citing intelligence reports suggesting Russia’s preparations for a significant strike, which he announced on Wednesday evening.
Reports indicated that the air-raid sirens had started hours earlier, signaling a daunting and prolonged night ahead for residents.
The assault commenced with attack drones, followed by the sound of air defenses engaging, culminating in a massive explosion around 11 pm, with subsequent blasts occurring rapidly.
Soon after, a significant fire was observed in the city center, accompanied by a smaller blaze nearby, prompting Mayor Vitali Klitschko to advise residents to seek shelter as ballistic missiles entered Ukrainian airspace following the drone attacks.
Just before 2 a. m. on Thursday, Kyiv experienced another series of powerful explosions, causing car alarms to sound throughout the city. Emergency services responded to a nine-storey building collapse, with reports of individuals trapped, as firefighters battled fires in multiple locations, including a hotel rooftop and a residential property.
Although the exact number of casualties remains unknown, Mayor Klitschko confirmed injuries to five medical staff members.
Anticipating a major attack similar to the previous night’s events, many Kyiv residents had prepared for potential escalation.
Ukraine has been exerting pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin through various actions, including launching drone strikes on Moscow, disrupting Russian fuel supplies, and mounting attacks on Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014.
Despite Ukraine’s efforts to end the conflict by bringing the war to Russia, Putin has remained defiant, facing challenges in shielding Russian society from the war’s consequences that have intensified since February 2022.
“Putin’s determination to continue the fight is evident,” stated Zelensky in Ireland on Wednesday before returning urgently, emphasizing the need to create conditions that make it untenable for Putin to prolong the conflict.
Seeking European Union membership, Ukraine aims to strengthen ties with the EU. Zelensky visited Ireland, which currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency, expressing hope for progress towards membership during Ireland’s term.
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