Deaths and injuries as Russia launches ‘massive’ attack on Kyiv

Russian strikes killed at least three people in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and wounded at least 12 others, city officials said on Thursday morning.

“According to operational information, the number of dead has increased to three people, wounded – to nine. Among the dead is a child,” the city’s military administration announced.

Powerful explosions were heard by Agence France-Presse journalists in Kyiv on Thursday, the news agency reported, as Ukrainian officials warned of a “massive” Russian attack.

The explosions illuminated the night sky and left behind a column of smoke. At least one missile appeared to be shot down as red tracer bullets sailed upwards.

Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said a “massive attack on the capital” was taking place. Air defence forces were operating, he said, urging residents to remain in shelters.

An AFP journalist witnessed about 100 people taking refuge in a subway station, with some lying in sleeping bags and others holding their pets. Three young people were seen anxiously waiting out the bombardment in an underpass.

Emergency services were working in Darnytsky, Dniprovsky and Shevchenkivsky districts, with initial reports indicating damage to some residential buildings, the mayor said.

Diplomatic efforts to end the war have continued in recent weeks following meetings between the US president, Donald Trump, and his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts. There has been little tangible progress, as the Kremlin has ducked Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s offer to meet one-on-one with Vladimir Putin and each day piled on caveats for any peace deal.

With Agence France-Presse