Media: Russia's large-scale bombing of Kyiv kills at least 17, injures 86
Following a warning from Zelenskyy, Ukraine's capital was hit by a massive wave of Russian missiles and drones early Thursday morning, with entire residential buildings destroyed, resulting in at least 17 dead and 86 injured. AFP reporters witnessed residents carrying mattresses rushing to shelters on the streets of Kyiv.
Kyiv Mayor Klychko said Thursday that the city had suffered its most intense attack since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
He posted on social media: "July 3 will be designated as a day of mourning in Kyiv to honor the victims of this largest-scale assault launched by enemy forces against the capital."
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sibiga appealed to Ukraine’s partners earlier Thursday: "Please don’t delay decisions regarding Ukraine’s air defense! After Kyiv endured a night of terror, this is our top request to our partners."
President Zelenskyy said Wednesday during a press conference in Dublin that he would return to Kyiv immediately due to concerns over a potential "large-scale" Russian attack. He stated, "We know that (Vladimir) Putin has been preparing for a major strike against Ukraine for some time, and we urge Ukrainian citizens to be doubly cautious in protecting themselves."
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed Thursday that it had launched a "large-scale strike" on Ukraine’s capital, claiming it was retaliation for what it described as terrorist attacks by the Kyiv regime against civilian infrastructure, and stating that the targets were "military-industrial enterprises and energy facilities."
Kyiv’s military administrator, Tymur Tkaченko, wrote on Telegram: "The enemy again deliberately targeted residential areas and killed civilians. The damage is severe, with many injured, including children."
AFP journalists heard explosions throughout a series of attacks that lasted several hours.
A reporter for AFP said that after an explosion in central Kyiv, a thick plume of smoke rose into the air, followed by flames and embers. Firefighters and ambulances arrived swiftly at the scene.
About 50 minutes after the first explosion, reporters heard a second blast near the initial impact site, hurling debris into the sky.
On the streets of Kyiv, residents rushed toward shelters, clutching mattresses under their arms.
Kateryna Koval, a Kyiv resident seeking shelter in a subway station, explained to AFP: "I used to no longer habitually go to shelters. But after the recent attacks, I decided to do so—because there have been far too many strikes targeting civilian infrastructure."
Dr. Kateryna Kucheryava, who lives in Kyiv, said: "Of course, the situation could worsen, but I believe they cannot intimidate us."
Damaged Civil Infrastructure
Nikolai Karachynik, Kyiv region’s military administrator, said on Telegram: "Last night, enemy forces launched a large-scale attack using attack drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles against the Kyiv region," noting that five districts of the capital were struck.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klychko said the air raid damaged a building in central Kyiv housing an emergency medical station.
In a detailed statement on Telegram, he said: "Five medical staff members were injured in the Shevchenkivskyi district. One paramedic is in critical condition."
The mayor added that in another district, "the roof of a high-rise apartment building is on fire," while people remained trapped inside another damaged nine-story building.
More than four years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv has frequently been targeted in deadly, sometimes large-scale aerial assaults.
According to authorities, on June 2, Russia launched a massive attack involving 656 drones and 73 missiles, killing 23 people—16 in Dnipro (central-eastern Ukraine), seven in Kyiv—with approximately 50 others injured in Kyiv.
Meanwhile, as peace negotiations mediated by the United States to end the war have stalled, Kyiv has intensified its strikes against Russian territory and areas occupied by Moscow in recent months.
Local authorities reported that one civilian each died in the Belgorod Region, bordering Ukraine, and in Nizhny Novgorod Region, located 400 kilometers east of Moscow, during the night between Wednesday and Thursday, following Ukrainian drone attacks.
On June 18, Ukraine carried out a large-scale attack that injured 17 people and hit a major oil refinery in Moscow, triggering a dramatic explosion and fire.
Source: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1869601284304972/
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