Russian drone and missile attacks injured over 20 individuals in Kyiv, causing damage to residential structures and power outages in various parts of Ukraine early on Friday, as reported by authorities. Tragically, a child lost their life in separate strikes in the southeast region of the country.
In the heart of Kyiv, emergency teams rescued more than 20 individuals from a 17-story apartment building engulfed in flames on the sixth and seventh floors. Five people were hospitalized, while others received on-site medical assistance, according to officials.
Describing the harrowing experience, 61-year-old resident Tetiana Lemishevska recounted the sudden loud noise followed by the strike that shattered windows and sent glass flying towards the door. The fire initially broke out on the sixth or seventh floor and rapidly spread to other levels, prompting residents to evacuate in uncertainty.
Ukraine’s air force disclosed that the recent Russian offensive involved 465 strike and decoy drones, along with 32 missiles of different varieties. The air defense systems successfully intercepted or disabled 405 drones and 15 missiles, as per the air force statement.
In the southeastern Zaporizhzhia area, residential zones and energy installations were targeted by attack drones, missiles, and guided bombs, resulting in the tragic death of a seven-year-old boy and injuries to his parents and others, confirmed military administration officials. Additionally, a hydroelectric plant in the vicinity was shut down preventively.
Poland has extended assistance to Ukraine amidst the ongoing crisis, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stating that the Russian strikes aimed at civilian and energy infrastructure coincided with Ukraine’s readiness for the upcoming cold season. Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko labeled the attack as one of the most severe concentrated strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy facilities.
The energy operator in Ukraine, Ukrenergo, reported power outages not only in Kyiv but also in the wider region, affecting multiple areas including Sumy, Kharkiv, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Cherkasy. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that the attack resulted in power disruptions on both sides of the city divided by the Dnipro River, while DTEK, Ukraine’s largest electricity operator, initiated repair works on several damaged thermal plants.
The energy sector has become a major focal point since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, with a pattern of targeting the power grid before the harsh winter season to potentially weaken public morale. Ukraine typically experiences its coldest temperatures from late October through March, with January and February being the chilliest months.
