A commercial building burns after a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Photo: AP) Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least 11 people in the eastern city of Dnipro and damaged residential buildings in the capital Kyiv early on Tuesday, authorities said, as fears of a large-scale assault grew, according to Reuters.
In Kyiv, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a suspected missile strike hit a 24-storey apartment building, causing part of it to collapse. “People may be trapped under the rubble,” he said. News agency AP reported that Russia launched nearly 600 drones in the attack.
At least 14 people were injured in the city. Fires broke out in several areas, including a non-residential site in the Podil district and a nine-storey apartment building after debris hit its roof.
“In the Obolon district, cars are burning after being struck by falling missile debris,” Klitschko said, adding that fires were also reported in open areas, including near a kindergarten.
Air raid sirens sounded across most of the country, forcing thousands of residents in Kyiv to take shelter in metro stations and underground spaces.
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Deadly strike in Dnipro
In Dnipro, regional governor Oleksandr Hanzha said four people were killed and 16 others injured in an attack. All the injured were taken to hospital and were in moderate condition.
A two-storey building was partly destroyed, while nearby residential buildings were also damaged.
In the northeastern Kharkiv region, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said at least six people, including an 11-year-old girl, were wounded in overnight shelling.
Reuters said it could not independently verify the reports.
Warnings of a larger assault
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had earlier warned of a possible large Russian strike. “Intelligence warnings regarding Russian strikes remain in effect. A massive strike is possible,” he said in his nightly address.
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He added that Ukrainian forces were on alert. “Our defenders are ready 24/7 to the fullest extent possible with the supplies currently available.”
Russia had last week said it planned “systematic strikes” on targets in Kyiv linked to the military and decision-making centres, and advised foreigners to leave the city.
Moscow said the move was in response to a drone strike last month in the Russian-held Luhansk region that killed 21 people. Ukraine has denied involvement.
Ongoing war
The war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has continued for more than four years. Both sides have accused each other of targeting civilian areas, while denying the claims themselves.
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Russia has repeatedly struck Ukraine’s energy and infrastructure, while Ukraine has increased attacks on Russian oil facilities in recent months.
Efforts to end the conflict have made limited progress, with global attention also focused on tensions in the Middle East.
