Key Takeaways:
- Kyiv came under a mass combined missile and drone attack on December 27, with multiple waves of attacks throughout the night and morning.
- The attack resulted in at least two deaths, including an elderly man in Kyiv’s Dniprovskyi district, and over 30 injuries, including two children.
- The attack cut off heat to a third of the capital, affecting 4,000 residential buildings, and caused power outages in several areas.
- The attack also damaged several buildings, including apartment blocks, and ignited fires that spread floor by floor.
- The Ukrainian Air Force warned of an ongoing Russian drone and missile threat across multiple regions.
- The attack comes as President Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss security guarantees, economic cooperation, and other issues related to the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Introduction to the Attack
The city of Kyiv came under a massive combined missile and drone attack on December 27, with the first wave of attacks starting shortly before 2 a.m. local time. The attack, which lasted for nearly 10 hours, was carried out by Russia using a range of missiles, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, Iskander ballistic missiles, and Kalibr cruise missiles. The attack was followed by a series of drone attacks that targeted the city throughout the night and morning, causing widespread damage and disruption.
Eyewitness Accounts
The attack had a significant impact on the residents of Kyiv, with many describing the experience as terrifying and traumatic. Tetiana Donets, a Kyiv resident, told the Kyiv Independent that she woke up to a terrifying explosion at 8 a.m. and later discovered that a missile had hit the fourth floor of a neighboring building. Another resident, Liubov Chernenko, 73, described how her apartment was damaged in the attack, with her kitchen window knocked out and her balcony damaged. She said that she had barely slept the night before due to the constant explosions and that the attack felt like an earthquake.
Damage and Casualties
The attack resulted in significant damage to several buildings, including apartment blocks, and caused power outages in several areas. At least two people were killed in the attack, including an elderly man in Kyiv’s Dniprovskyi district, and over 30 people were injured, including two children. The attack also cut off heat to a third of the capital, affecting 4,000 residential buildings, and caused significant disruption to the city’s infrastructure. Firefighters and first responders were still working to respond to the attack at noon on December 27, with several locations in Kyiv still affected.
Response to the Attack
The attack prompted a response from the Polish military, with aircraft being mobilized overnight in response to the large-scale attack on Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force also warned of an ongoing Russian drone and missile threat across multiple regions, highlighting the ongoing risk of further attacks. The attack comes as President Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss security guarantees, economic cooperation, and other issues related to the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Ongoing Conflict
The attack on Kyiv is the latest escalation in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which has been ongoing for nearly four years. The conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian and economic costs, with thousands of people killed or displaced and widespread damage to infrastructure. The international community has condemned the attack and called for an end to the conflict, with the United States and other countries providing significant support to Ukraine. The meeting between President Zelensky and President Trump is seen as an important opportunity to discuss ways to bring an end to the conflict and to provide further support to Ukraine.
Conclusion
The attack on Kyiv on December 27 was a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, resulting in significant damage and disruption to the city. The attack highlights the ongoing risk of further violence and the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The international community must continue to condemn the attack and provide support to Ukraine as it works to defend itself against Russian aggression. The meeting between President Zelensky and President Trump provides an important opportunity to discuss ways to bring an end to the conflict and to provide further support to Ukraine.