Russia Launches Major Attack on Kyiv, Leaving Four Dead

A significant attack by Russian forces on Kyiv has resulted in the deaths of four individuals and left 27 others injured, including a pregnant woman. The assault occurred early on Friday, March 15, 2024, and was characterized by a barrage of 430 drones and 18 ballistic missiles, according to reports from Ukrainian authorities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack as “a deliberately calculated attack aimed at causing maximum harm to people and civilian infrastructure.” He highlighted that numerous apartment buildings sustained damage, including the Azerbaijani embassy, which was struck by debris from an Iskander missile. Zelenskyy noted that while the primary target was Kyiv, attacks also affected the Kharkiv and Odesa regions.

The bombardment began shortly after midnight and persisted into the early hours of Friday, igniting multiple fires throughout Kyiv. Tymur Tkachenko, the head of the Kyiv military administration, reported extensive damage, stating, “Russians are hitting residential buildings. There are a lot of damaged high-rise buildings throughout Kyiv, in almost every district.”

The impact of the strikes was severe, leading to heating outages in two districts, as confirmed by Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. In response to the ongoing aggression, Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine is conducting long-range strikes against Russian targets and called for international support to enhance Kyiv’s air defenses. He emphasized, “Russia is still able to sell oil and build its schemes. All of this must end.”

Zelenskyy expressed that significant efforts are underway to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense systems but stressed the need for more assistance, including additional systems and interceptor missiles. “We need reinforcement with additional systems and interceptor missiles,” he reiterated.

In a reciprocal move, Kyiv’s drones targeted a Russian oil terminal and port in Novorossiysk. Andrei Kravchenko, the local governor, reported that drone debris caused damage to several residential buildings and vehicles in the area, resulting in one injury.

The situation remains tense as both sides continue to engage in military operations, with civilian lives being deeply affected by the ongoing conflict. The international community watches closely, considering the implications of this latest escalation in hostilities.