Ukraine Intercepts 31 Missiles Launched by Russia in Kyiv
In a daring move, Ukraine’s air force intercepted 31 missiles launched by Russia at Kyiv overnight, preventing a potential disaster. The attack resulted in at least 17 people, including a child, being injured by falling debris, with four individuals currently hospitalized.
This aggressive act marks the largest Russian attack in weeks, following Moscow’s vow for revenge over recent attacks by Ukraine on its border regions. The intensity of the assault prompted Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to urgently request more military aid from Western allies.
The chaos unfolded in Kyiv as several explosions rocked the city shortly before dawn, triggering its anti-missile defense systems to swiftly shoot down the incoming rockets. Debris scattered across the Podilsky, Shevchenkivskyi, and Sviatoshyn districts, igniting fires on rooftops of power transformers, residential buildings, and cars.
Describing the harrowing experience, Kyiv residents recalled the overwhelming sense of panic as debris rained down on them. “The cars were burning over there, everything was exploding… I came back, took cat carriers, tried to find my cats, but I couldn’t,” shared one resident named Tetiana.
Earlier in the week, tragedy struck in Kharkiv when five people lost their lives in a Russian attack, as confirmed by Mr. Zelensky. The escalating violence has forced more than 150 individuals in the nearby Sumy region to flee due to intensified shelling.
Mr. Zelensky’s urgent plea for additional military support, particularly air defense systems, has been echoed persistently, emphasizing the critical need for protection against ongoing terror. “Such terror continues every day and night. World unity is able to stop it when it helps us with air defense systems,” emphasized Mr. Zelensky.
As the conflict intensifies, Russian towns have also faced their share of attacks. In Belgorod, 16 people were tragically killed and 98 injured in recent assaults, prompting the evacuation of thousands of children from the city and its surroundings.
With EU leaders convening in Brussels to discuss bolstering military and financial aid for Ukraine, the summit holds significant importance in determining the course of action. The proposal to transfer frozen Russian assets worth billions of euros to Kyiv may also be on the agenda, reflecting the gravity of the situation.
Amidst these developments, European Council President Charles Michel emphasized the need for swift action, stating that the EU must put its economy on a “war footing” to effectively address the crisis. The outcome of the summit remains crucial in shaping the response to the escalating conflict. — BBC
