Russia has pounded Ukraine with ballistic missiles and drones, with at least four killed in Kyiv, as Vladimir Putin made good on his vow to exact revenge for the weekend strikes on airfields in his country. Multiple explosions were heard Kyiv, where falling debris sparked fires across several districts as air defence systems attempted to intercept incoming targets, said Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Administration.
Posting on Telegram, Mayor Vitali Klitschko later said four people were dead, adding: “Search and rescue operations are ongoing in several locations.” Authorities reported damage in several districts, and rescue workers were responding at multiple locations. In Solomyanskyi district, a fire broke out on the 11th floor of a 16-story residential building. Emergency services evacuated three people from the apartment, and rescue operations were ongoing. Another fire broke out in a metal warehouse.
Th attack came hours after US President Donald Trump said it might be better to let Ukraine and Russia “fight for a while” before pulling them apart and pursuing peace, in comments that were a remarkable contrast from his prediction that he could end the war within 24 hours of returning to office.
