Russia launched a wave of attacks against Ukraine on Friday, hitting the Eastern European country in several cities, including its capital, Kyiv.
In Kyiv, four people were killed (though there were conflicting reports on that number) and 20 others were injured as Russia bombarded the Ukrainian capital with missiles and drones, according to multiple reports. At least three of the people who died in the attack were rescue workers who worked for the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
“They were working under fire to help people,” Ukraine’s Interior Ministry said in a released statement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a message on X about the attack, claiming that over 400 drones and 40 missiles were used in the strikes, and hit cities throughout the country.
“Russia doesn`t change its stripes – another massive strike on cities and ordinary life,” Zelensky said in his post. “They targeted almost all of Ukraine – Volyn, Lviv, Ternopil, Kyiv, Sumy, Poltava, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv regions. Some of the missiles and drones were shot down. I thank our warriors for their defense. But unfortunately, not all were intercepted.”
“In total, over 400 drones and more than 40 missiles – including ballistic missiles – were used in today’s attack. 49 people were wounded,” Zelensky added. “Unfortunately, the number may increase – people are reaching out for help.”
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko posted a message on the social media platform Telegram about the casualties from Russia’s attack. The strikes overwhelmed air defense systems, and the city was rife with fires burning, buildings crumbling, and other debris from the attacks. Klitschko advised that search and rescue efforts were underway for several areas subjected to the Russian strikes.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s City Administration, posted a message on Telegram encouraging people to stay safe.
“Our air defense crews are doing everything possible. But we must protect one another — stay safe,” said Tkachenko.
UKRAINIAN DRONE ATTACK IS A WAKE-UP CALL FOR AMERICA ON CHINA
Russia used Shahed drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles in the strikes against Ukraine. The attacks targeted Kyiv, as mentioned above, as well as other cities across the country, including Ternopil and Odesa, the New York Times reported. There were no available updates regarding casualties suffered in the attacks outside the capital city.
Russia’s attacks on Friday come two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to retaliate against Ukraine for its highly successful Operation Spider’s Web covert strike on Russia on June 1.