Russia launched a massive air attack on Ukraine overnight on Friday, deploying 550 drones and missiles on strikes around the country.
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said Kyiv was the main target of the Moscow strike, with at least 23 people injured, of which 14 were hospitalized.
The Ukrainian capital was directly hit by nine missiles and 63 drones, causing damage in eight different regions. Debris from the attack also fell in over 30 other locations in the city.
Kiev resident Joseph Heim Ross, whose brother-in-law defends Ukraine at Frontline, told Euroneus that recent attacks on the city have intensified.
“Shahed drones are far more and more deadly than before, and they tend to evacuate for drone attacks too. We’ve all become a little paranoid,” he said.
Roche spoke about his experiences after spending one night at the Kiev Metro station, which residents use as shelter during the air raid.
“We went to the subway this past night. There is a shelter less than 100 metres from our location, but it’s impossible to spend the night there. It’s wet, not enough space and too crowded during the major attacks,” Roche said.
“To be honest, I’m tired, but I don’t think that’s all. It was a three-and-a-half year war.
Zelenskyy: Russia has no intention of ending the war
The attack on Friday night left homes, schools, shops, medical facilities and many other private infrastructure that were damaged in the city, according to Klitschko.
Following the fires caused by the strike, residents have been warned of a sudden decline in air quality due to city smoke. Authorities are urging Kiev citizens to keep the windows closed as a precautionary measure.
The most difficult districts include Solomianskyi, Holosiivskyi, Sviatoshynskyi, Darnytskyi, Dniprovskyi and Shevchenkivskyi.
The city’s rail infrastructure is also damaged, with passengers delayed up to two hours.
According to Ukrainian air defense forces, 539 Shahed drones and decoys were used for the attack, with six ballistic missiles, four Iskander cruise missiles and one Kinzhar Aero Ballistic missile.
However, the 478 air attack was fired down or neutralized by electronic warfare, and two cruise missiles were fired down.
Ukrainian President Voldimir Zelensky said it was one of the biggest air attacks he calls “deliberately large and ironic.”
The Ukrainian president noted that the first air raid alert across the country “departed almost at the same time as media reports discussing calls between President Trump and Putin.”
“Again, Russia shows that it is not going to end war and fear,” Zelensky said.
“This is all clear evidence that without truly massive pressure, Russia will not change its stupid and destructive behavior,” the Ukrainian president adds, calling on the US to put more pressure on Russia, which has more severe sanctions.
“For all of that strikes on people and human lives, they must feel the proper sanctions and other blows on their economy, their income, and their infrastructure.”
“This is the only thing we can achieve quickly to change the situation for the better, and it depends mainly on our partner, the United States,” concluded Zelensky.
