Russian strikes on Kyiv kill four, injure 15 including children
Russian missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv killed at least four people and wounded 15 others on Saturday, local officials said, as Moscow continues its long-range bombardment of towns and cities across Ukraine.
Kyiv's military administration confirmed four deaths. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said 15 people, including two boys aged 13 and 17, were wounded and taken to hospital. The attack involved ballistic missiles, which give residents little time to seek cover.
Mr. Klitschko had issued a warning earlier on Telegram, saying: "Explosions in the city. Kyiv is under ballistic missile attack. Stay in shelters!" Journalists from Agence France-Presse reported hearing more than ten explosions in quick succession, with the intensity of the blasts setting off car alarms.
The attack came just days after a United Nations report found that June was the deadliest month for civilians in Ukraine since April 2022. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has documented a sharp rise in civilian casualties, many caused by missile and drone strikes on populated areas.
The war, now in its fourth year, has caused enormous suffering. Millions of people have been displaced, and frequent attacks continue to damage residential areas, schools and hospitals. International humanitarian organisations have repeatedly called for the protection of civilians.
In recent months, Ukraine has also increased its own long-range strikes on Russian territory, partly to pressure Moscow to engage in negotiations. Both sides have suffered heavy losses, and diplomatic efforts have made little progress.
On Friday, Russian online retail giant Wildberries announced that its logistics facility in the city of Volgograd had caught fire following an overnight attack. It was the latest in a series of strikes on the company's facilities. Ukrainian authorities have accused Wildberries of storing drone parts and supporting the Russian military. The company has not yet responded to these accusations in relation to Friday's incident.
Kyiv's allegations against Wildberries have drawn attention to the role of private companies in supporting the Russian war effort. The e-commerce firm employs thousands of workers and operates a vast network of warehouses, making it a strategic target for Ukrainian forces.
In diplomatic developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this week. According to Mr. Zelenskyy, Mr. Trump agreed to license the production of Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine, which would significantly strengthen Ukraine's ability to defend its cities. However, Mr. Trump's public comments did not confirm this, saying only that "many things were discussed" and that "the meeting went very well."
The potential licensing of Patriot missiles would be a major development in the conflict, as Ukraine has repeatedly requested advanced air defence systems to counter Russian missiles. The United States and other NATO allies have provided billions of dollars in military aid since the start of the war.
The two boys wounded in the attack were among the 15 people transported to hospitals across Kyiv, according to the mayor. Their conditions were not immediately known, but medical staff reported a range of injuries. The presence of children among the wounded has once again drawn attention to the impact of the conflict on young people.
The latest strike on Kyiv is expected to renew international calls for stronger protection of civilian infrastructure. Rescue and recovery operations are underway, and officials have cautioned that the casualty count may change.
As the war grinds on, civilians on both sides continue to bear the brunt of the violence. The international community has condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure, but the fighting shows no signs of abating. Saturday's missile strike on Kyiv serves as a reminder of the high human cost of the conflict.
