Russia has launched one of the largest drone and missile attacks on Ukraine’s capital, killing at least four people and injuring 10, Kyiv’s military administration has said.
A 12-year-old girl is believed to be among the dead, but that has yet to be officially confirmed, Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, noted.
Poland has scrambled its jets to the border as it closed the airspace near two of its southeastern cities, Lublin and Rzeszow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said around 500 drones and over 40 missiles were launched by Russia in the overnight attack.
Mr Zelensky said on Telegram: “Moscow wants to continue fighting and killing and deserves only the harshest pressure from the world.”
The Ukrainian President said the attack, which lasted over 12 hours, damaged a cardiology clinic, factories and residential buildings.
The attack hit several other regions of Ukraine, with at least 16 people – including three children – injured in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, authorities noted.
Flightradar24 said Poland closed its airspace near the two cities due to “unplanned military activity related to ensuring state security”.
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Buildings have been turned into rubble as Ukraine is battered by missiles and drones
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The Polish Military said on X: “In connection with the activity of the Russian Federation’s long-range aviation carrying out strikes on the territory of Ukraine, Polish and allied aircraft have begun operating in our airspace.”
Russia’s defence ministry said it has carried out a “massive” attack on Ukraine using long-range air, sea-based weapons and drones.
Moscow has denied it is targeting civilians in its war against Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov addressed the United Nations (UN) amid allegations that Moscow has violated the airspace of its neighbours in recent weeks.
A Kyiv resident looks at the damage from the Russian attack
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Mr Lavrov said his country had no intention of attacking any Nato or EU member state but warned of a “decisive response” if any “aggression” was directed towards Russia.
He stated: “Threats of force against Russia, accused of practically planning an attack on the North Atlantic Alliance and the European Union, are becoming increasingly common.
“President Putin has repeatedly debunked such provocations. Russia has never had and does not have such intentions, but any aggression against my country will be met with a decisive response.”
Mr Lavrov warned that if there is any aggression against Russia, “they will regret it”.
Smoke can be seen filtering its way out of Kyiv
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REUTERS
Mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, called on Western allies to boost their support for Ukraine.
Mr Klitschko said: “We have to be strong to defend our homeland, to defend the European Union.
“[Otherwise], the next target can be every country in Europe.”
The former world heavyweight champion boxer has been the mayor of the Ukrainian capital since 2014 and has previously called Russia’s actions a “genocide”.
