What's happened
The capital Kyiv has been hit by a mass ballistic missile attack with strikes affecting multiple districts. Authorities say fires and damage have been reported, with medical teams deployed and residents urged to shelter. The attack follows Ukrainian drone strikes in Russia and warnings from Western partners about retaliation.
What's behind the headline?
Brief
- The narrative centers on a large Russian assault on Kyiv using ballistic missiles and drones, with ongoing strikes and ongoing emergency responses.
- The unfolding event is framed as retaliation for Ukrainian actions in Russian-occupied territory, but Ukrainian authorities deny targeting civilians.
- The situation is dynamic, with warnings of further missiles and drones and potential use of high-speed hypersonic weapons.
What this means for readers
- Residents should remain in shelters as the threat persists.
- The attack underscores the volatility of the conflict and the risk to civilian infrastructure.
- International partners have warned of severe consequences, amplifying regional security concerns.
How we got here
Tensions have escalated as Russia warned of inevitable punishment after the dormitory attack in Luhansk, which Kyiv denies targeting civilians. Ukrainian officials have warned of a major Russian missile operation and have reported damage across several Kyiv districts.
Our analysis
The Independent; France 24; NY Post – all report ongoing strikes and casualties in Kyiv, with varying details on targets and weapons used. Quotes reflect official briefings from Tymur Tkachenko and Kyiv authorities, and mention warnings from the US and Western partners.
Go deeper
- Is the city’s power and water supply affected?
- What are the latest casualty figures and what buildings are damaged?
- How are international partners responding to this attack?
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Kyiv - Capital and largest city of Ukraine
Kyiv, also Kiev, is the capital and most populous city of Ukraine. Located in the north-central part of the country, it straddles both banks of the Dnieper River. As of January 2022, the population of Kyiv was 2,952,301, making it the seventh-most populou
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Ukraine - Country in Europe
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Russia - Country
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