Russian Missile Attacks on Several Ukrainian Cities Leave Multiple Casualties

Reports indicate that during recent attacks by Russia on Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, explosions were heard in the city and black smoke filled the sky. News agencies have reported a total of 20 casualties from this Russian attack on several cities in Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, stated that Russia fired more than 40 missiles into the country. The daytime attack, described as 'rare,' occurred on a day when the Ukrainian president is scheduled to travel to Warsaw, the capital of Poland, and then from there to attend a NATO summit in Washington. Zelensky said, 'Russian terrorists have once again launched a widespread missile attack on Ukraine. Various cities: Kyiv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Sloviansk, Kramatorsk. More than 40 missiles of various types. Residential buildings, infrastructure, and a children's hospital were damaged.' Serhiy Popko, head of the military administration of Kyiv, wrote on his Telegram channel that at least seven people were killed in the Russian missile attacks on Kyiv on Monday, July 8. Kyiv has been targeted multiple times by missile and drone attacks since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2020, but the attack on Monday was unprecedented since mid-June. 'Emergency status' in the Russian border area following Ukraine's attacks. Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, stated that pieces of debris from intercepted projectiles by air defense systems fell in two central areas of the capital. Municipal officials reported that an office building and several houses were damaged during the attack. Mr. Klitschko wrote in a social media post that at least three people were injured in this attack, one of whom was hospitalized. He also mentioned that a children's hospital was damaged in the attack without providing details. Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, wrote on social media that civilians were the target of this bombardment, infrastructure was attacked, and the entire world must see the consequences of terrorism that can only be responded to with force. In Kharkiv, located in eastern Ukraine and bordering Russia, five people, including two children, were killed when a vehicle struck a mine laid by the Russian army. Oleg Synegubov, the commander of Kharkiv, wrote on social media that in this incident, a 53-year-old man, a 64-year-old woman, a 25-year-old woman, a five-year-old boy, and a three-month-old baby lost their lives. The city of Kharkiv has regularly been targeted by the Russian army, which launched a major ground attack in the region on May 10 of this year. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, stated that the attack on Kharkiv was to create a 'buffer zone' to protect the Belgorod border area of Russia from bombardment by the Ukrainian army. Following the attack on Kharkiv, Russian forces captured several border villages, forcing thousands to flee their homes. However, Ukrainian officials have stated that in recent weeks, after Washington somewhat lifted restrictions on the use of U.S. donated weapons for attacks inside Russia, this pressure has ceased.