At least 12 people were killed and 33 others injured after a Russian missile barrage hit Kyiv overnight, causing widespread destruction across the Ukrainian capital on Thursday, August 20.
The attack struck at least 12 locations, damaging residential buildings, a medical facility and an educational institution. Emergency crews continued rescue operations into the morning as people were pulled from damaged structures and rubble.
Residential Buildings Among Sites Hit
According to Ukraine's emergency services, the strikes affected the Darnytskyi, Sviatoshynskyi and Solomianskyi districts of Kyiv.
In the Solomianskyi district, the upper two floors of a nine-storey residential building were destroyed, while fires broke out on several other floors. Authorities said people were trapped inside two residential buildings as well as a school shelter following the strikes.
The overnight assault triggered air raid alerts across Kyiv, with explosions reported in several parts of the city.
Rescue Operations Continue Across Kyiv
Emergency personnel were deployed to multiple damaged locations as rescuers searched through debris for survivors.
One resident, whose apartment was badly damaged in the attack, described the destruction after firefighters rescued her pet cat from the building. She said a neighbour's grandson had been trapped beneath the rubble and did not survive.
The attack left several residential areas severely damaged and forced emergency teams to carry out rescue operations throughout the night.
Pressure on Kyiv's Air Defences
Russia has increased its use of ballistic missile attacks against Kyiv, putting additional pressure on Ukraine's already stretched air defence capabilities.
Ukraine has limited systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, while supplies for its US-made Patriot air defence systems have remained a major concern.
The latest barrage comes amid continued long-range attacks by both Russia and Ukraine, with Kyiv also targeting military facilities, weapons depots and other strategic infrastructure inside Russian territory.
As rescue operations continue, the latest attack stands among the deadliest recent assaults on the Ukrainian capital, highlighting the continued vulnerability of civilian areas as the Russia-Ukraine war continues.
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