Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, was targeted by Russia with missiles and drones on Saturday morning, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to 27 others as reported by local authorities. Explosions resonated throughout the city for several hours as ballistic missiles and drones struck various locations. The assault commenced in the early hours of the morning and persisted into daylight.
This attack coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s scheduled meetings with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Halifax, followed by discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida, aimed at resolving the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Zelenskyy and Trump are expected to address security guarantees and territorial disputes in eastern Ukraine during their meeting. In response, the Russian Defence Ministry stated that it conducted a significant strike using long-range precision-guided weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and drones, targeting energy infrastructure facilities and Ukrainian military-industrial complexes.
Poland took precautionary measures during the attacks, scrambling fighter jets and temporarily closing airports near the Ukrainian border. Despite the proximity to the conflict, there was no breach of Polish airspace reported.
Zelenskyy criticized the attacks, highlighting the severe impact on civilian infrastructure in Kyiv. He noted the destruction of residential buildings and the disruption of essential services like electricity and heating in certain areas due to the strikes.
The assault resulted in casualties and injuries, with children among the wounded. Rescue operations were underway to extricate individuals trapped under collapsed buildings and address the fires ignited by the attacks in various districts of Kyiv.
Looking ahead to his meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of discussing security guarantees and resolving territorial disputes while maintaining Ukraine’s sovereignty and red lines.
European leaders will also be briefed by Zelenskyy on the outcomes of the discussions with the U.S. as efforts continue to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.