On Wednesday, Russia and Ukraine engaged in reciprocal attacks targeting each other's capitals, occurring just one day before a Russian-initiated three-day cease-fire was scheduled to commence. The assault on Kyiv resulted in two fatalities and left eight others injured, including four children.
The proposed truce, set to begin at midnight Wednesday, was intended to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. Moscow was preparing to host a Victory Day parade on Friday, with foreign leaders such as China’s President Xi Jinping expected to attend.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the cease-fire offer as too brief to foster substantial peace talks, suggesting it was primarily designed to reassure the guests attending the Russian parade. Ukraine stated it would only consider a cease-fire if extended to a duration of 30 days.
The escalation followed a Ukrainian drone strike on Moscow on Tuesday, which damaged a building and forced the closure of airports serving the Russian capital for several hours. Moscow’s mayor reported that air defense systems intercepted seven Ukrainian drones near the city.
On Wednesday, officials from two Russian regions south and southeast of Moscow also reported Ukrainian drone incursions during the night.
In Kyiv, authorities issued warnings of incoming Russian ballistic missiles shortly before explosions were heard around 1 a.m. It remains unclear whether the missiles were intercepted or struck targets in or near the city.
Subsequently, Kyiv’s military administration reported damage caused by debris after air defense forces successfully downed several explosive drones over the city. Anti-aircraft units fired machine guns throughout the city center in response.
Damage and fires were reported across multiple Kyiv neighborhoods and suburbs, affecting an office building, a high-rise under construction, and an apartment complex. Firefighters confirmed two fatalities in an apartment fire, while among the injured were three children who sustained burn injuries.
In southern Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia, local authorities also confirmed fires and structural damage caused by a series of drone attacks on the city.
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