Russian bombings rock Kiev and other Ukrainian cities – DW – 07/08/2024

A Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian capital Kiev this Monday, July 8, killed and injured a still unknown number of people. Citing preliminary information, local authorities so far report between 3 and 10 deaths and between 9 and 31 injuries.

Several explosions rocked Kiev in the early morning, with smoke billowing from the sky, AFP journalists said, witnessing an unusual daytime attack in the Ukrainian capital.

Russian forces fired multiple ballistic and cruise missiles at Ukrainian targets, the Ukrainian air force said, and the explosions were felt and heard across the capital, Kyiv.

The air force said the daylight attack involved Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, one of Russia’s most advanced weapons. The Kinzhal flies at 10 times the speed of sound, making it difficult to intercept.

The Kiev city administration reported that debris, possibly from intercepted missiles, fell in Kiev’s Solomiansky, Dniprovsky and Holosievsky districts, causing fires.

Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced that fragments of missiles shot down by anti-aircraft defenses fell in two areas of the city center and rescue services were sent to the area.

Other local authorities also reported explosions in Ukraine’s central Dnipropetrovsk region.

RML (AFP, AP, Reuters)