Russian drones and missiles struck the Ukrainian capital and other cities, killing two people in Kyiv and damaging critical energy infrastructure and multiple residential buildings.
The assault lasted through Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, with Kyiv hit by at least four ballistic missiles. Loud explosions echoed across the city.
As dawn approached and morning traffic increased, the sounds of air defense systems intercepting Russian drones competed with the noise of vehicles.
The renewed offensive coincided with reports of a Ukrainian strike on a significant chemical plant in Bryansk, southwestern Russia, using Storm Shadow missiles provided by Britain and France. Ukrainian drones also targeted Russia’s Mordovia region.
Initial explosions in Kyiv were heard shortly after 1 a.m., followed by additional blasts half an hour later. Strikes and air raid alerts were also reported in Zaporizhzhia, Poltava, and Dnipro, continuing into the morning.
Emergency crews rescued 10 people after falling drone debris caused a fire on the sixth floor of a 16-story apartment building. Windows of a medical center were shattered, and debris was discovered at another residential structure, according to Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko on Telegram.
In the capital’s Darnytskyi district, responders addressed a fire across five floors of a 17-story building after drone wreckage struck it.
Meanwhile, 20 residents were evacuated in the Desnianskyi district when the front of a 10-story building was damaged and a gas line ignited.
“The death toll in the capital has reached two,” stated Tymur Tkachenko, head of the city’s military administration, as officials reported a large-scale drone assault.
Strikes in Poltava damaged oil and gas facilities, said regional governor Volodymyr Kohut, while Dnipro experienced heavy bombardment.
Overnight strikes in Zaporizhzhia left at least 13 civilians injured after an apartment building was hit.
Russia has significantly escalated attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in recent weeks, focusing on power stations and fuel installations.
The latest strikes occurred as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepared for discussions in Sweden with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Linkoping, marking the start of a busy diplomatic phase in Europe.
A gathering of allied nations in London, set for Friday, aims to reinforce support for Ukraine amid shifting political dynamics involving the U.S.
“The prime minister and President Zelenskyy will hold a joint press conference to announce updates on defense cooperation,” the Swedish government stated, adding that the leaders would also visit a local firm.
The recent aerial assaults highlighted ongoing tensions despite diplomatic efforts.
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