Early this morning, Russia fired missiles at Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, and debris from downed weapons injured at least two people, caused fires and damaged houses and infrastructure, officials said.
Ukraine’s air defense units destroyed more than ten cruise missiles and nearly ten ballistic missiles, the city’s military administration said on the Telegram messaging app.
Air strike warnings were sounded across Ukraine for nearly two hours before the air force declared the skies clear. Neighboring NATO member Poland activated Polish and allied aircraft to protect its airspace during the attack.
The boiler room at the water plant in Kyiv was partially damaged, as was the entrance to the subway station that serves as a shelter in the Svyatoshynksyi district, Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko announced on Telegram, although the station is still operating.
The district is home to a cluster of universities and schools.
At least two people were injured in the attack, Klitschko said. Cars were set on fire across the city, as well as a non-residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district, he added.
Emergency services also went to Svyatoshynksyi, Holosiivskyi and Solomyanskyi districts, where the remains of the destroyed missiles fell.
Solomyanskyi is home to Kyiv’s main railway station and main airport. The historical district of Svyatoshynksyi is located on the western edge of the city, while Holosiivskyi is on its southwest.
Reuters witnesses in Kiev heard a series of loud explosions in what sounded like the work of air defense units, some in the central area, Fena writes.