Russia launched a barrage of missiles on Ukraine’s capital city Kyiv on Thursday morning (Mar 21). Such a heavy missile attack was launched for the first time in six weeks and only hours after US national security adviser Jake Sullivan had visited the city.
More than 25,000 citizens took shelter inside the metro stations of the city during the massive attack. The images and videos of people cramming together in underground metro stations circulated on social media platforms.
As per the officials, two ballistic missiles and 29 cruise missiles were fired by Russia in the Kyiv region, all of which Ukraine claimed were successfully shot down.
As per media reports, the missiles fired were probably ballistic missiles from North Korea.
New Russian missile attack on Kyiv. Over 30 missiles were shot down, including an air-launched ballistic missile. People were injured, and they are all receiving the necessary assistance.
Such terror continues every day and night. It is possible to put an end to it through… pic.twitter.com/iv0MWeLyiQ
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 21, 2024
As per the authorities, nearly a dozen citizens suffered injuries due to the falling debris and no fatalities were reported.
Speaking to CNN, 80-year-old Valentyna Ivanivna in Kyiv’s central Podil district said that she woke up after hearing a loud blast at 5 am which shattered her windows.
“I don’t know whether it was a missile or what it was, but now I have holes instead of windows. I’m alright, but my kitchen and a living room are now windowless. I was sleeping in the bedroom, which is behind another wall, which saved me from the shrapnel,” Ivanivna said.
No critical infrastructure facilities hit by missile: Kyiv
Head of the Kyiv region military administration Ruslan Kravchenko said that no residential buildings or critical infrastructure facilities were hit.
More than 25,000 citizens, which included 3,000 children, took shelter in the metro stations of the city till 6 am local time when the authorities lifted the air raid warning, said the Kyiv city office.
Watch: Russia-Ukraine war: Russia’s largest attack on Kyiv in weeks
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the latest attack on the capital city is a reminder of why he needs more military support from allies.
“Russian terrorists do not have missiles that can bypass the defence of [US-made] PATRIOTs and other world-leading systems. Now this protection is needed here in Ukraine [..] This is quite possible if our partners have enough political will,” he said on the social media platforms.
(With inputs from agencies)
Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.
