At least two people were killed in Kyiv by Russian missile and drone attacks, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday. The Ukrainian capital was rattled by multiple powerful explosions following a missile alert issued by authorities.
AFP journalists reported hearing more than 20 blasts on Thursday, following warnings from the Ukrainian Air Force that Russian ballistic missiles were approaching the city.
“Once again, the primary targets of the Russian attack were Kyiv and civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings, a maternity hospital, energy facilities, and logistics hubs. Two people have been confirmed killed,” Zelensky stated on Telegram.”
In a post on X, Zelensky emphasized that “Russia will not end this war without pressure. As people slept, explosions lit up the sky. Once again, their strike primarily targeted Kyiv and civilian infrastructure, hitting residential buildings, a maternity hospital, energy infrastructure, and logistics.”
“Explosions in Kyiv. The capital is under a ballistic missile attack. Remain in shelters!” Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko warned in a Telegram message.”
The strikes occurred while Zelensky was meeting with members of the US Congress as part of his visit to the United States, where he is requesting stronger sanctions against Moscow.
Kyiv Residents Prepare for Harsh Winter
The bombardment represents the latest escalation in an intensifying exchange of long-range strikes, with both Kyiv and Moscow signaling at the UN that they will intensify attacks, dimming hopes for diplomacy.
Though the first chill of autumn has only recently arrived in Kyiv, the approaching winter is already dominating conversations among residents, who are formulating contingency plans in case Russian strikes once again cripple the energy system.
The memory of last winter looms heavily over Kyiv, a period when Russian strikes on the country’s power and heating infrastructure plunged the city into darkness and bitter cold for weeks as temperatures plummeted to -20C.
As Russia escalates its assaults on Kyiv, the question of how to survive this winter is particularly pressing for families with children, said Oleksandra Matveieva, founder of a Facebook group for mothers.
“Now it appears the Russians have begun bombing Kyiv heavily,” she said.”
“Immediately, people—mostly mothers—started messaging: “We are ready to leave anywhere, provided it is not too far or expensive.””
Travel Mama Club, initially established for traveling mothers before evolving into a wartime advice forum, has recently seen a surge in posts regarding accommodation in safer western Ukraine or abroad.
“People are looking for a Plan B, even booking refundable apartments,” she noted. “They still do not know if they will ultimately leave.”
Over the past month, Russia has intensified its attacks on the capital, and air raid alerts urging locals to seek shelter from incoming drones and missiles have become a nightly—and increasingly daily—occurrence.
While Moscow previously targeted Kyiv mainly under the cover of darkness, it now launches attacks more frequently during broad daylight. The alerts paralyze life across the city, particularly in schools and hospitals that adhere to strict safety protocols.
Fears of ‘Critically Cold’ Winter
The bombardments are part of escalating infrastructure attacks by both Russia and Ukraine, which UN investigators warn are leaving civilians increasingly vulnerable as winter draws near.
US President Donald Trump stated last week that Ukraine and Russia had agreed not to target each other’s energy facilities, but this proposal ultimately failed to materialize.
Zelensky told the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday that “Ukrainians understand that this winter could be very harsh for us, but in response we will have no choice but to make it painful for Russia too.”
Ukrainian authorities have rushed to reinforce the battered energy system. The energy ministry stated that the country has already repaired 4.8 gigawatts of generating capacity and plans to restore or build over 10 gigawatts this year.
The International Energy Agency reported in September of last year that Ukraine possessed approximately 38 gigawatts of dispatchable power generation capacity before Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Last winter, demand peaked at 18GW, while capacity had plummeted to 11GW following years of attacks, according to the agency.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko, criticized by the government for failing to present a clear strategy, has stated that the city has completed 80 percent of its winter preparations.
Sergiy Fedorenko, CEO of Ukraine’s main gas provider Naftogaz, acknowledged that Russia’s strikes were “stronger, broader, more dangerous”.
“However, we have prepared for this throughout the off-season and will withstand these blows over this difficult winter,” he told AFP.”
Besides heating and energy, there are fears that Russia may target water supplies, Ukraine’s Energy Minister Denys Shmygal said in August.
Residents are making their own preparations, retrieving generators, portable batteries, and hot water bottles they relied on last year, while making further adjustments.
Some still hold onto the hope that the weather will be milder this year.
“If it gets cold again, as critically cold as last year, I will leave,” said Matveieva, who has a daughter.”
“I will take her and get her out of here.”
(France 24 with AFP)
Also Read
- Slovenian PM Janez Janša Slams UN ‘Double Standards’ Over Gaza Focus, Reveals Trump Invitation
- Freight Operators Warn Protest Barriers Risk Paralyzing Pakistan’s Supply Chains
- To the victor belong Venezuela’s spoils: Delcy Rodriguez’s UNGA about-face
- China Confirms Initial AI Dialogue With U.S., Signals Possible Trade Truce Extension
