Russia ‘Purposefully’ Hit Critical Infrastructure in Latest Strikes, Kyiv Mayor Says
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Russia’s latest attack on Kyiv marks the first time in several months critical infrastructure "was purposefully attacked" in the Ukrainian capital, the city’s mayor said.
At least 17 people have been killed as blocks of flats and warehouses were struck across the city overnight, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine said. A children’s hospital and school were also damaged, and more than 40 people have been injured, it added.
On Thursday, Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko warned residents of Desnyansky and part of the Dnipro districts may experience a disrupted supply of hot water, following the overnight attacks.
"Specialists are working to restore the damaged infrastructure," he said on Telegram.
Speaking to BBC News at a wrecked apartment block in Kyiv, Klitschko said Ukraine continues to face a shortage of air defence missiles and needs "ammunition, anti-missile systems – we need support from our partners."
Kyiv relies on Western allies for the supplies and President Volodymyr Zelensky said that "as long as Ukraine does not have enough anti-ballistics, Russia will not seriously think about peace." He added: "The interceptors for the Patriots have not yet been replaced, and they are needed every day. Each additional missile saves the lives of our people."
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An update released by the Ukrainian Air Force on Thursday morning implied that none of the Russian ballistic missiles used overnight were intercepted.
Ukraine has relied on American supplies of Patriot interceptor missiles to combat Russian ballistic missiles, but the US has used much of its stockpile during the war with Iran.
The Russian defence ministry said it used air, land and sea-based weapons to target military facilities and warehouses.
The latest strikes on Kyiv began around midnight local time as air raid sirens sounded across the city, followed by the impact of Russian missiles.
The strikes cut power to thousands of properties, plunging parts of the Kyiv region into darkness.
A day of mourning is to be observed on Friday.
… (rest of the text continues with descriptions of the strikes’ impact on specific areas and individuals)
