Ukraine shoots down 31 missiles as Putin launches major attack on Kyiv

Russia carried out its most significant missile assault in weeks on Kyiv and its vicinity on Thursday, causing harm to schools, residential structures, and industrial facilities, with at least 17 individuals injured, as per officials. 

The air force reported that all incoming missiles fired after a 44-day pause in such assaults on the Ukrainian capital were intercepted by their defenses. The destruction seemed to be a result of falling debris. 

"Each day and night is plagued by such terrorism. Global solidarity can halt it by providing us with air defense systems. Presently, we require this protection here in Ukraine," expressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the Telegram messaging platform. 

City and regional authorities confirmed that a minimum of 13 people sustained injuries in various parts of Kyiv, with an additional four in the surrounding area. Among those taken to the hospital were a young girl of 11 years, as stated by city officials. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Kyiv last week of instigating attacks to disrupt the Russian presidential election that granted him another six years in office. The Kremlin's leader asserted that Ukraine would face consequences for this. 

Despite Russia's denial of targeting civilians, the country invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, and has launched numerous missiles and drones on Ukrainian towns and villages, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of civilians. 

The Ukrainian military reported that Russia fired over 8,000 missiles at Ukraine in the initial two years of the conflict. 

'Intense loathing'

Air raid sirens, signaling Ukrainians to seek shelter, have been activated in the capital over 1,020 times since the war began, as per the Ukrainian military. 

On Thursday morning, the capital was on high alert for nearly three hours. 

"We are filled with loathing, intense loathing. This is not fear; it is loathing. Towards Russia in general and individuals there specifically," shared Kostyantyn, a Kyiv resident, speaking to Reuters while standing outside a damaged residential building with his spouse. 

His wife, Alisa, remarked, "I extend my regards to my parents in Crimea who participated in the voting ... They attended the elections and voted for Putin. Mother, Father, thank you very much for the fact that today my husband and I were almost killed. Thank you." 

Kyiv's military administration head, Serhiy Popko, mentioned that the Russian military employed strategic bombers and launched missiles from its territory. The missiles were directed at Kyiv from various angles, he added. 

Kyiv city officials disclosed that several kindergartens, schools, residential structures, and industrial sites in the city were damaged by debris from downed Russian missiles. 

In the region, at least 40 private residences and two multi-story buildings suffered damage, as per regional authorities. 

"Russia expended $390 million on the missile strike on Kyiv today," revealed Agiya Zagrebelska, the head of sanctions policy at the National Agency on Corruption Prevention, in comments to Reuters. 

"This amount is less than 1% of the total taxes paid by international corporations to the Russian treasury since the initiation of the full-scale invasion." 

Source: Reuters