At least 20 individuals were injured in Kyiv due to Russian drone and missile attacks that also caused damage to residential structures and power outages across parts of Ukraine on Friday. Tragically, a child lost their life in separate incidents in the southeast of the country.
In Kyiv’s core, emergency teams rescued over 20 people from a 17-story apartment building as flames engulfed the sixth and seventh floors. Five individuals were hospitalized while others received initial medical assistance at the scene.
According to 61-year-old Tetiana Lemishevska, a resident, the sudden sound alerted them to the impending strike, causing panic as glass shattered and flames rapidly spread through the building.
Ukraine’s air force reported that the recent Russian assault involved 465 drones and 32 missiles, with air defenses intercepting or jamming a significant number of them.
In the Zaporizhzhia region, residential areas and energy facilities were targeted, resulting in the death of a seven-year-old boy and injuries to his parents and others. As a precaution, a hydroelectric plant in the area was shut down.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted that the strikes focused on civilian and energy infrastructure as Ukraine braced for colder temperatures. Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko described the attack as one of the most concentrated on Ukraine’s energy network.
Power outages were reported in Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Cherkasy regions. Repair work commenced on damaged thermal plants following the assault that disrupted power on both sides of Kyiv.
The energy sector has been a primary battleground since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with annual attempts to weaken the Ukrainian power grid before harsh winter conditions.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, during a visit to Lviv, indicated discussions on supporting Ukraine with additional electricity supplies in the face of escalating tensions.
Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of targeting energy installations, reflecting the broader conflict dynamics.
