Russia raids Kiev for first time in nearly 2 months

Ukraine says Russia launched a major missile attack, causing explosions in the center of the capital Kiev, for the first time in nearly two months.

Air defense sirens were sounded in Ukraine's capital Kiev early this morning, before dozens of loud explosions and the sound of air defense systems firing rang out in the city center.

Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko said debris from the intercepted Russian missile had fallen in several city districts, setting some buildings and cars on fire. “Stay in shelters until the alarm is over,” he wrote on Telegram.

Smoke rises in Kiev during an airstrike in May 2023. Photo: Reuters

This is the first time the capital Kiev has been hit by Russian airstrikes in nearly two months, since a fierce attack by missiles and long-range suicide drones (UAVs) in late January and early February.

The Russian Defense Ministry and the Ukrainian military have not commented on the information.

Russia has launched several large-scale raids on Ukraine since late December 2023, as Kiev stepped up efforts to produce military supplies domestically to ensure stable supplies and reduce dependence on foreign partners, which are facing shortages and unable to meet the needs of the country's military.

The Russia-Ukraine war situation. Graphics: WP

Ukrainian officials have acknowledged that military facilities have been targeted by Russia in recent years, but have often been silent on the details. Vadym Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraine’s military intelligence service, said Russia has not repeated its trend of attacking energy infrastructure, instead focusing on defense industrial facilities.

Vu Anh (According to Reuters, AFP )

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