Indian national among 12 killed in Russian strikes in Kyiv, says Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
PTC News Desk: An Indian citizen and 11 others were killed in Russian overnight air attacks on Ukraine's Kyiv and the surrounding region as the war escalated, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday.
Russian forces launched missiles and drones at Kyiv and the surrounding region overnight, with explosions heard across the Ukrainian capital. It was the sixth straight day of Russian attacks on Kyiv.
Ukrainian officials said residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were damaged in the strikes. Emergency teams were also called to several locations to put out fires. Air-raid alerts were issued across large parts of Ukraine. In Kyiv, authorities reported several fires, while buildings were damaged by direct strikes and falling debris. In the city of Boryspil, an apartment building and a business facility were also damaged.
"A significant number of jet-powered drones and ballistic missiles were used in the attack. Unfortunately, residential buildings and civilian infrastructure have been damaged," Zelenskyy wrote on X, as he narrated the Russian attack aftermath.
"Overall, 12 people were killed, among them an Indian citizen, and dozens more were injured in the attack. My condolences to everyone who has lost family and loved ones," the Ukrainian leader said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of deliberately carrying out attacks aimed at causing maximum damage and casualties. He said such strikes are more effective when Ukraine does not have enough air-defence systems to stop them.
The latest attack came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine “for humanity’s sake” during their meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
Russian air attacks have intensified in recent days. On Monday, drone strikes disrupted transport and damaged warehouses, residential buildings and commercial properties around Kyiv. Zelenskyy said Russia had launched around 1,500 drones over four days, showing the scale of the recent attacks.
Russia has also increasingly targeted Ukraine’s energy, transport and border infrastructure. Tuesday’s strikes reportedly disrupted operations at the Orlivka border crossing with Romania on the Danube, according to Reuters.
The latest escalation comes as diplomatic efforts to end the war continue.
- With inputs from agencies
