Russian Missiles and Drones Strike Kyiv, Death Toll Rises to 10, Over 50 Injured

(CNA Kyiv, April 2nd, Combined News from Foreign Agencies) - After Ukrainian President Zelenskyy warned that Moscow was preparing for a large-scale attack, Russia launched missile and drone strikes on Kyiv early this morning, killing at least 10 people and injuring over 50. Russia claims this is retaliation for recent attacks on civilian facilities.

According to Agence France-Presse, during the ongoing invasion for over four years, Russia has frequently launched missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv. This war has become the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II.

The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed today that it had launched a "large-scale strike" on Kyiv in "response to the terrorist attacks by the Kyiv regime on civilian infrastructure."

Prior to this wave of attacks, the Ukrainian Air Force had warned of ballistic missiles heading towards Kyiv. Yesterday, Zelenskyy (Volodymyr Zelenskyy) cut short his visit to Dublin due to intelligence reports indicating an imminent Russian attack.

AFP reporters in central and eastern Kyiv heard dozens of explosions and saw residents rushing to subway stations for shelter, some with children and pets.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko wrote on the messaging app Telegram that 10 people had died so far, and damage included an apartment building where six floors partially collapsed after being hit by a Russian projectile.

According to Reuters, Kyiv City Military Administration Head Tymur Tkachenko stated that the attack injured 56 people, including two children, and damaged over 30 locations in Kyiv.

He wrote on Telegram: "The enemy has once again deliberately attacked residential areas, causing civilian deaths. We have suffered heavy losses, with many casualties, including children."

Kyiv Governor Mykola Kalashnyk said the attacks affected five administrative districts in the greater Kyiv region.

He stated on the messaging app Telegram: "During the night, the enemy again used attack drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles to launch a large-scale attack on the Kyiv region."

He said emergency responders were battling fires at multiple warehouses and a residential building in the Bucha district, and that the attack also damaged homes, dormitories, and vehicles elsewhere in the district.

Several hours earlier, an AFP reporter saw explosions in central Kyiv as air raid sirens wailed, followed by thick smoke and flames. Firefighters and ambulances rushed to the scene.

About 50 minutes later, the initial explosion site was hit again, with debris scattering.

Images released by the Ukrainian State Emergency Service after dawn showed a residential building severely damaged, with a large section of the structure blown out.

Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States, Olha Stefanishyna, posted on social media platform X: "It was another terrible night for the residents of this city, who were forced to spend the night in shelters."

Poland, a member of NATO and the European Union, briefly scrambled fighter jets as a precautionary measure today but later recalled them, stating that no airspace violations were detected. Finland's Ministry of Defence stated on platform X that Finland had also issued a temporary restricted airspace over the eastern Gulf of Finland but later lifted it. (Compiled by Zhang Xiaowen) 1150702

\nStand with facts, your every donation is a force to protect press freedom.\n\nDownload the CNA "First News" APP for real-time updates.\n\nText, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.