ALBAWABA - Russia launched a barrage of missiles and strike drones on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities overnight on July 1-2, Kyiv Independent reported Wednesday night.
Kyiv City Military Administration Head Tymur Tkachenko and Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that the Russian attack killed 13 people, while another 56 were injured, including two children.
The attacks come hours after Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Moscow was preparing for a large-scale attack. Zelenskyy said he was cutting short his visit to Dublin after an intelligence report showed that Moscow is planning an attack on Kyiv.
He wrote on X, "Today, we have information about another massive Russian strike – we have relevant intelligence data. And immediately after this conversation, I am returning to Ukraine. Today, I ask our people in Ukraine to be especially careful – stay safe and protect your families and children – be sure to take shelter and pay attention to air-raid alerts in Ukraine."
According to local media in Ukraine, Russia's strikes damaged residential buildings, including a hotel in central Kyiv, and caused fire in several buildings. As of 7:00 a.m. local time, damage and destruction had been recorded at over 30 locations across all districts of Kyiv.
"The enemy is once again targeting residential areas and killing civilians. We have very serious destruction and a significant number of victims, including children," Tkachenko said.
"Another horrific night for the residents of the city, who were forced to spend it in shelters," Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's ambassador to the U.S., posted on X.
