Russian attack: How badly was consulate of Poland in Kyiv hit in largest drone strike of war? 5 confirmed damage reports
An elderly couple crossing a street as smoke rises in the background at a site of a strike following a mass Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv | AFP
Kyiv witnessed the largest drone attack in the history of its ongoing war with Russia on Friday. At least 23 people were hurt in Moscow's drone strike that damaged buildings across the Ukrainian capital. Social media videos showed people running to seek shelter, firefighters battling blazes in the dark, and ruined buildings with windows and façades blown out. The city's mayor said that 14 of the injured needed hospitalisation.
The fresh UAV offensive was launched hours after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke to Russia's Vladimir Putin. The POTUS had said that he made “no progress” towards a ceasefire following the conversation.
Residents of the capital city entered bunkers and underground metro stations for shelter as air raid sirens blared, indicating the incoming kamikaze drones. According to Ukraine's Air Force, Russia launched a total of 539 drones and 11 missiles. As many as 478 of the UAVs were destroyed by its air defence before they could inflict any damage, it added. However, airstrikes were recorded in eight locations across Ukraine, with nine missiles and several drones managing to get past its defences.
- According to Reuters, Kyiv officials said the attack damaged about 40 apartment blocks, passenger railway infrastructure, five schools and kindergartens, cafés, and many cars in six of Kyiv's 10 districts.
- Poland said the consular section of its embassy was damaged in central Kyiv, adding that staff were unharmed.
- Ukraine's state-owned railway Ukrzaliznytsia said on Telegram that the attack on Kyiv forced them to divert a number of passenger trains, causing delays.
- Damage was recorded on both sides of the wide Dnipro River bisecting the capital, and falling drone debris set a medical facility on fire in the leafy Holosiivskyi district.
- Russian airstrikes on Kyiv have intensified in recent weeks and included some of the deadliest assaults of the war on the city of three million people.
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