Russia attacks Kyiv with missiles – impacts in three districts

The exact number of missiles fired and the weapon systems used were not officially confirmed initially. In Kyiv and in several other Ukrainian cities, an air raid alert has been nearly constant since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression when missiles or drones approach from the Russian side. The air defense attempts to intercept incoming projectiles.

The attack had immediate effects on the capital's civilian infrastructure. "Es kam demnach zu Stromausfällen", the dpa reported, citing information from Kyiv. Power was temporarily out in several districts, and emergency services were deployed.

Context: Four years of Russian war of aggression

Ukraine has been defending itself against a Russian invasion for more than four years with Western assistance. Since the beginning of the large-scale offensive in February 2022, Russia has repeatedly attacked the capital Kyiv with missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. The attacks were particularly intense during the winter months, when the Russian side specifically targeted energy infrastructure.

International observers view the renewed attacks on the capital as a sign that the Russian military leadership is continuing its air war against Ukraine unabated. Despite the delivery of Western air defense systems such as Patriot, Iris-T, and NASAMS, Russia repeatedly manages to reach the Ukrainian capital.

The news of the attack was distributed via the dpa news channel. "Das ist eine Nachricht direkt aus dem dpa-Newskanal", the agency's announcement stated. The report spread in the early morning hours across numerous news portals in Germany and Austria.

Klitschko called on the population to seek shelter and to take the air raid alerts seriously. Kyiv has an extensive network of subway stations that are regularly used as shelters during the war that has been ongoing for years. The authorities also provided emergency power supplies to hospitals and other critical facilities.

Consequences for the civilian population

The Ukrainian Air Force stated in the morning that it had intercepted several missiles and drones over the city area and the broader region during the night. Exact figures were not initially given. Air defense was also deployed in the regions around Kyiv, as local authorities reported.

No specific information about possible casualties, injuries, or damage to residential buildings was initially available. "Über mögliche Opfer wurde vorerst nichts bekannt", the city administration stated in the early morning. Emergency services and firefighters were deployed in the affected districts to extinguish fires and search for possible people buried under rubble.

Reaction of the authorities

The renewed attack underscores the ongoing danger to the civilian population in the Ukrainian capital. Even more than four years after the start of the Russian invasion, the threat situation in Kyiv remains serious. Western governments had announced additional aid for Ukrainian air defense in recent weeks.

The morning after the attack was tense but orderly, according to eyewitness reports. Many residents of Kyiv returned to their homes and workplaces after the air raid alert ended, while emergency services continued to operate in the affected neighborhoods. Public transportation resumed with delays.