KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia bombarded the Ukrainian capital for more than 12 hours overnight and into Tuesday, killing at least 12 people in a series of aerial attacks that authorities stated were aimed at civilians. This marks the sixth consecutive day of heavy Russian attacks on Kyiv since the full-scale invasion began over 4½ years ago. Ukrainian officials indicated that these ongoing assaults are intended to disrupt daily life for civilians.
The strikes involved cruise and ballistic missiles, jet-powered drones, glide bombs, and artillery, targeting Kyiv and eight other regions. More than a dozen individuals were wounded, including three children, coinciding with the return of millions of Ukrainian schoolchildren to classes for their fifth school year since the invasion.
Kaja Kallas, the European Union's foreign policy chief, remarked that Russia's military is struggling to advance on the front lines and is attempting to intimidate Ukraine's Western supporters through its air campaign. "Russia's war is becoming more ruthless and destructive, but it's unfortunately not closer to ending," Kallas stated during a meeting of the bloc's defense ministers in Ireland.
The latest attacks hit civilian infrastructure and residential buildings in various districts of Kyiv, resulting in eight deaths in the city and four in the surrounding region. Among those killed were six employees of the state-owned railway company Ukrzaliznytsia, as reported by company Chairman Oleksandr Pertsovskyi.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the deceased included an Indian citizen. Nearly 350 emergency workers were deployed in Kyiv and the surrounding area, according to Zelenskyy.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that its forces executed a "massive strike" on Ukraine using "precision-guided weapons" and long-range drones, targeting facilities related to weapon manufacturing and military infrastructure. Ukraine's air force reported that the attack commenced at 6 p.m. on Monday, utilizing ballistic, cruise, and anti-radar missiles, along with 218 drones and decoys, with approximately one-third being jet-powered.
The primary targets were in the Kyiv and southern Odesa regions. In Odesa, the attack damaged civilian infrastructure and injured one person, as stated by regional head Oleh Kiper. Two residential buildings were also damaged, and a fire erupted at a textile factory. Additionally, Russian forces struck the Orlivka international ferry crossing on the border with Romania.
In the northern Zhytomyr region, shelling resulted in fires at an industrial facility and a warehouse, according to Ukraine's Emergency Service. First responders in Kyiv worked to clear debris from damaged apartment buildings and rescue trapped residents.
The Russian Defense Ministry also reported that its air defenses intercepted 516 Ukrainian drones over 18 Russian regions, including the annexed Crimean Peninsula and the Black Sea. In the Leningrad region, a drone attack caused a fire in the port of Ust-Luga, as stated by Governor Alexander Drozdenko, amid Ukraine's efforts to target Russia's oil sector.
Zelenskyy warned foreign airlines that the skies over Russia are no longer safe, stating that "the war started by Russia is closing its skies." He emphasized that Russian airspace would effectively be closing to civilian aviation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to Zelenskyy's comments by labeling them as "an application for state terrorism" and noted that Russia does not negotiate with terrorists. He acknowledged the challenge posed by Ukrainian drones and commented on reports of Ukrainian military use of British-made drones against Russian targets.
In other developments, the German government accused Russia of an attempted attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month involving a drone with explosives. German officials announced the closure of a Russian consulate among other measures against Moscow. The drone was found near a Ukrainian plane on August 4 and was defused. Moscow has faced accusations from Western officials of conducting sabotage operations across Europe to undermine support for Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova dismissed Germany's claims as unfounded, arguing that no substantial evidence has been presented. Putin also rejected the accusations, suggesting that Germany's actions contradict the interests of its citizens.