Early Thursday, Russian forces launched a ballistic missile strike on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, leading to several explosions throughout the city. Mayor Vitali Klitschko urged people to evacuate due to the blasts that were reported by local witnesses. According to Ukraine’s air force, the missiles were specifically targeting the capital.
Klitschko later mentioned that several non-residential areas caught fire following the strikes, but no immediate casualties were reported. This attack came shortly after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had warned about a potential major assault from Russia overnight.
In a statement, Zelenskiy mentioned he had received reports indicating that Russia had been planning this significant strike for several days, heightening concerns about its timing.
Zelenskiy emphasized the need for international allies to understand the gravity of the situation. He pointed out that the ability to protect lives hinges significantly on their readiness to support Ukraine with air defense missiles. This appeal followed his recent visit to the United States, where he met with President Donald Trump.
During that visit, Trump disclosed at a NATO summit in Turkey that the U.S. would allow Ukraine to manufacture the Patriot air defense system. Zelenskiy highlighted that this support is crucial from countries that possess these missiles.
He concluded by reiterating the pivotal role of international partners, stating, “All partners know what is required and fully understand the consequences of marking times.”
