Russian missile strike on Kyiv kills 16, Poland activates air defences

Russian ballistic missile strikes on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv has killed at least sixteen people and injured more than forty others, Ukrainian officials said, with fires reported across the city and Poland activating defensive air operations.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said residential buildings, warehouses, non-residential facilities and a children’s hospital were damaged in the attack. Parts of the capital were also left without power, while emergency crews worked to rescue people trapped inside buildings.

A Reuters witness reported hearing more than a dozen explosions in the city.

Ukraine’s emergency services released footage showing firefighters battling flames and helping residents escape damaged buildings following the overnight strikes.

Poland activates air operations

Poland, a NATO and European Union member bordering Ukraine, said it had launched preventive military aviation operations to protect its airspace as Russia carried out strikes on Ukraine.

The Polish military said in a statement, “These actions are of a preventive nature and are aimed at securing airspace and its protection, especially in areas adjacent to threatened regions.”

Poland said ground-based air defence systems and radar reconnaissance had also been placed on alert.

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Romania, which also neighbours Ukraine, said a drone crashed into an uninhabited area in the county of Tulcea, during the latest Russian attack on Ukraine.

Kyiv calls for more air defence support

The attack comes as Ukraine continues to call on allies for additional air defence systems and interceptor missiles to counter Russian missile strikes.
 

Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Kyiv has submitted proposals to U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as part of efforts to end the war.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Moscow had not received specific new proposals for possible meetings with U.S. negotiators. Speaking to the Izvestia newspaper, Zakharova said Russia remained ready to arrange talks at short notice.

Russia and Ukraine have continued exchanging attacks almost daily since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, while diplomatic efforts involving the United States and European countries have so far failed to secure a lasting ceasefire.

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News Politics Russia Poland Ukraine Vitali Klitschko NATO Kyiv Maria Zakharova