Ukraine’s air defenses engaged in a five-hour battle against a Russian aerial assault on the capital city of Kyiv overnight, as reported by officials on Thursday. The attack resulted in injuries to at least two individuals, according to Ukraine’s Emergency Service. Additionally, a kindergarten, a gas pipeline, and approximately 20 vehicles suffered damage in the city, as indicated by the Kyiv Military Administration.
Long-distance attacks have become a prominent feature of Russia’s military operations in Ukraine, which have continued for three years, frequently targeting civilian areas. The ongoing strikes on the country’s electricity grid have disrupted nearly 70% of Ukraine’s energy production capacity, leading to power outages as the nation braces for winter, as highlighted by the United Nations.
Ukraine faces a critical need for robust air defense systems, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy scheduled to meet with President Joe Biden in Washington on Thursday to secure continued military assistance from the United States.
In a separate incident, the energy infrastructure in Ukraine’s western Ivano-Frankivsk region was hit, resulting in a blackout in parts of the regional capital bearing the same name, as stated by regional Governor Svitlana Onyshchuk. Furthermore, authorities in the southern Mykolaiv region reported an attack on the power grid, although detailed information was not immediately available.
According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched six missiles and 78 Shahed drones at Ukraine during the overnight assault from Wednesday to Thursday. Ukrainian defenses successfully intercepted and destroyed four missiles and 66 drones in the air.
Tragically, a 62-year-old woman lost her life in the Odesa region in southern Ukraine due to a missile strike. The attack damaged homes and vehicles in the area, revealed regional Governor Oleh Kiper. Meanwhile, in Zaporizhzhia city, at least eight individuals sustained injuries during the overnight attack, including a 14-year-old, confirmed regional governor Ivan Fedorov. He shared images showing houses with shattered windows and walls pierced by shrapnel. The Emergency Service reported damage to 12 residential buildings in the city, with 18 people being evacuated.
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