Russian Missiles On Civilian Sites in Kyiv

"Early this morning Russia launched a ballistic missile attack against the capital [Kyiv], killing a civilian and resulting in debris and fires around the city."

"[The United States and its partners were] surging security assistance and energy support [to the country] in response to these brutal attacks."

U.S. Ambassador Bridget A. Brink  

"[Several embassies housed in the same building were damaged in the 'barbaric' attack]."

"These are the embassies of Albania, Argentina, Palestine, North Macedonia, Portugal and Montenegro."

"Windows and doors were smashed in the premises."

Heorhii Tykhvi, Ukraine's foreign ministry spokesman

 

"In response to the actions of the Kyiv regime, supported by Western curators, this morning a group strike with long-range precision weapons was launched against the SBU command post, the Kyiv Luch design bureau, which designs and manufactures Neptune missile systems, Olkha ground-based cruise missiles, and the positions of the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system."

"The strike targets were achieved. All objects were hit."

Russia’s Ministry of Defense 

"More sanctions against Russia are needed."

"I would also like to thank all of our partners who are responding to this and other Russian attacks by being ready to provide more air defense systems."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

A rescue worker walks by as firefighters work to extinguish a fire near the site of a building destroyed during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in central Kyiv, Ukraine, Dec. 20, 2024.  Thomas Peter/Reuters

Moscow claims its ballistic missile attack on Kyiv early Friday was a response to a Ukrainian strike on Russian soil with the use of American-made weapons. Shortly before sunrise three loud blasts were heard in Ukraine's capital city. According to the Ukraine air force, five Iskander short-range ballistic missiles fired at the city were intercepted. Heating to 630 residential buildings, 16 medical facilities, 30 schools and kindergartens and the city administration had their heating knocked out by the attack.

Falling missile debris was the cause of additional damage, while sparking fires in three districts. "We ask citizens to immediately respond to reports of ballistic attack threats, because there is very little time to find shelter", the air force stated. Russia regularly bombards civilian areas of Ukraine with the clear intention of unnerving Ukrainians while trying to destroy the power grid in Ukraine.

Ukraine, on the other hand, in its struggle to restrain Russia's larger military on the front line, has made an effort to strike Russian infrastructure that supports Moscow's war against Ukraine. Falling debris smashed into the city centre in Kyiv, damaging several dozen highrise office towers, as well as the city landmark of the Catholic Church of St. Nicholas along with the Kyiv National Linguistic University. So much for Russia claiming to aim for Ukrainian military installations.

 

Ukrainian officials said Moscow had launched a fresh attack on Kyiv. Reuters

 

Blast waves from an intercepted low-flying missile blew out windows at six embassies, according to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, among other damage caused. Air raid sirens rang out again about five hours on. Those sheltering at home in the early morning attack, felt the walls of their apartments shaking in the blasts, while outside fire engines and ambulances raced through city streets. One resident explained: "With the naked eye you could see that many buildings ... were damaged, with glass shards on the ground, far from the explosion epicentre", said Valeriia Dubova while sheltering in a packed subway station.

The strike, according to the Russian Defence Ministry, was  a response to Russia's Rostov border region being attacked by Ukraine making use of six American-made Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles, and four Storm Shadow air-launched missiles courtesy of the United Kingdom. In that attack of two days earlier, Ukraine's aim was to target a Rostov oil refinery, part of its campaign to strike Russian infrastructure supplying Moscow's war plans.

 

A view shows buildings damaged during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Dec. 20, 2024.  State Emergency Service Of Ukraine via Reuters