Russia continues its incessant harassment of the Ukrainian capital. In the 18th attack and the deadliest since May, three people were killed, including an 11-year-old boy, early Thursday morning in Kyiv as a result of a barrage of Russian missiles sent into the city that also injured a dozen people. reported the Kyiv Military Administration.
One of the three dead is a boy born in 2012, the source announced. The attack, which occurred just after 3 a.m., used 10 short-range Iskander missiles, targeting critical infrastructure in or around the Ukrainian capital. As reported by the Ukrainian Air Force, the 10 missiles were shot down, but caused damage and casualties when they fell after being intercepted by Ukrainian anti-aircraft defenses.
The remains of the missiles caused damage to a children's polyclinic, two schools and a police station and several public and private buildings in three different districts of the Ukrainian capital. The mayor of the city, Vitali Klitschko, explained that the management of the clinic is being investigated for not having opened the shelter to those who were in the building during the attack.
Kyiv has been attacked with kamikaze drones or missiles up to 17 times during the month of May. The Ukrainian authorities attribute the increase in the frequency and intensity of these attacks, almost always at night, to Russia's intention to demoralize the Ukrainians and exhaust their anti-aircraft defenses.
While most incoming weapons are shot down, many Kyiv residents are distraught and weary after weeks of sleepless nights listening to the sound of explosions. Ukraine's air defense has become increasingly effective at intercepting Russian drones and missiles, but the resulting debris can start fires and injure people trapped.
After a woman was killed watching an airstrike from her balcony earlier this week, Kiev authorities urged residents to heed warning sirens and stay in shelters or other safe places. “You have to be vigilant, as ballistic missiles fly at incredible speeds. From the moment the alarm is announced until the arrival of the rocket, you only have a few seconds!" they warned in a message to the neighbors.
