Russian missile and drone strikes hit multiple Ukrainian cities after Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned hours earlier that Moscow was preparing a “massive attack.” At least six people were killed in Kryvyi Rih, including two children, and at least one person died in Kyiv, while fires were reported in the capital and damage was also caused in Lviv.
What happened in Kryvyi Rih?
A Russian missile strike killed at least six people in central , including two girls, the head of Kryvyi Rih’s military administration said. Oleksandr Vilkul said the dead included girls aged five and 12 and four adults after a direct strike by an Iskander-M ballistic missile launched from Voronezh hit a private house where a large family lived.
“In a village on the outskirts of Kryvyi Rih, a direct strike by an Iskander-M ballistic missile, launched from Voronezh, hit a private house where a large family lived, killing girls aged five and 12 and four adults,”
Vilkul said a further eight people were wounded and that the death toll may rise.
What was reported in Kyiv?
At least one person died in Kyiv after the attacks, the military administration for the capital city said. The administration announced, in , “sadly, one death has been confirmed”, while Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko reported fires in several districts.
“The enemy is attacking the capital with ballistic weapons. The threat of further attack remains present. Stay in shelters!”
Klitschko posted the warning earlier as ballistic weapons were being used against the capital and the threat of additional strikes remained.
How did other Ukrainian cities respond?
In the western city of Lviv, residential buildings were damaged by Russian air attacks, mayor Andriy Sadovyi said on Telegram, citing preliminary reports and asking people to seek shelter.
What did Zelenskyy say before the strikes?
Late on Wednesday, Zelenskyy warned that a large attack was likely within hours and urged people across Ukraine to pay attention to air raid alerts and stay safe.
“The Russians prepared a massive attack several days ago, and there is a high probability that the strike will be carried out tonight … Please, in all regions of Ukraine, pay attention to air raid alerts today and stay safe.”
He also repeated his request for Ukraine’s allies to provide the missiles needed for the country’s air defence system.
“It is important that our partners fully understand what is happening and that the protection of people’s lives depends directly on their willingness, or lack of willingness, to provide air defence missiles.”
How did Poland react?
As the attacks took place, Poland scrambled fighter jets to protect its airspace, according to its armed forces. Poland shares a border with Ukraine and said fighter aircraft and an early warning aircraft began operations while ground-based air defence systems and radar reconnaissance systems reached a state of readiness.
“Fighter aircraft and an early warning aircraft have begun operations while ground-based air defence systems and radar reconnaissance systems have reached a state of readiness.”
What happened in Russia?
In Russia, a warehouse in the western city of Penza caught fire after a Ukrainian drone attack, regional governor Oleg Melnichenko said. One person was injured and around 200 people were evacuated from the site.
With and Agence France-Presse
