Oct. 25 (UPI) — Russian ballistic missiles rained down on several parts of Kyiv early Saturday morning and killed at least four while wounding 13 more as the war in Ukraine continues.
The missiles struck the Dniprovsky, Desnyansky and Darnytsky districts of Ukraine’s capital city, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced on Saturday.
“Explosions in the capital. The city is under ballistic attack,” Klitschko said on social media, as reported by The Guardian.
Air raid sirens sounded warnings at 3:51 a.m. local time, which were followed by the sounds of several explosions across Kyiv.
The missile barrage caused a non-residential building to catch fire, and debris from missiles that were intercepted damaged nearby buildings as it fell into open spaces.
At least four were killed and 13 were injured during the Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine early Saturday morning. Photo via Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs/UPI
The missile attack also damaged a kindergarten that is in the Dnipro district, according to the Kyiv Post.
Local emergency crews battled fires in several locations.
Russia launched nine ballistic missiles and 62 attack drones against Kyiv, and Ukrainian air defenses downed four missiles and 50 drones during the deadly Saturday morning aerial assault. Photo via Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs/UPI
At least two were killed and seven were wounded in the Dnipropetrovsk region, including one first-responder, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Two others died in the attacks on Kyiv.
Russian forces also attacked the outer parts of Kharkiv for about an hour shortly after midnight, with about 15 explosions being reported in the city’s suburbs.
The attack occurred after the Ukrainian Air Force warned of Russian drone activity near Kharkiv.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported Russia used nine Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 62 attack drones during the early morning aerial assault.
Air defenses destroyed four missiles and 50 drones.
Russia also reported Ukraine struck a dam in the Belgorod region several times, which raises the risk of flooding in Shebekino and Bezlyudovka.
Local officials issued evacuation warnings to protect residents against flooding.
The Russian Defense Ministry also reported air defenses downed 121 Ukrainian drones during the overnight hours from Friday into Saturday.
The United States and the European Union earlier this week announced sanctions on Russian energy, including oil and natural gas, to deprive Moscow of the funds needed to continue the war.
The war in Ukraine began when Russia invaded its neighbor on Feb. 24, 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his call for Patriot missile systems, which are capable of intercepting Russian missiles.
“It is precisely because of such attacks that we pay special attention to Patriot systems – to be able to protect our cities from this horror,” Zelensky posted on X. “It is critical that partners who possess relevant capability implement what we have discussed in recent days. No country should be left alone in the face of such evil. We must continue our cooperation. Everything is doable. Our partners have the necessary systems and they can already help defend Ukraine.”
Trump in July approved a request to send Patriots to Ukraine.
Ukraine is looking to acquire 25 more Patriots in a long-term arrangement with the United States, Zelensky told journalists in Kyiv on Monday.
Zelensky also recently sought long-range U.S. Tomahawk missiles to counter Russia’s airstrikes, but President Donald Trump denied the request.
