A major Russian attack on parts of Ukraine and its capital, Kyiv, has killed multiple people, damaged buildings and likely trapped others under rubble, local authorities say.<\/p>\n
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a suspected missile strike on a 24-storey apartment building triggered a collapse on Tuesday, local time.<\/p>\n
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Thousands of residents rushed into underground metro stations in Kyiv to seek refuge from the attack. (Reuters: Alina Smutko)<\/p>\n
A fire had broken out in the Podil district on the grounds of a non-residential property, and a nine-storey apartment building was on fire after debris apparently struck the roof, the mayor said.<\/p>\n
“In the Obolon district, cars are burning after being struck by falling missile debris. There are also fires at two locations in open areas, including one near a kindergarten,” he said in a statement on Telegram.<\/p>\n
Tymur Tkachenko, the head of Kyiv’s City Military Administration, said “the enemy is striking with ballistic missiles”.<\/p>\n
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A car dealership building in Kyiv sustained significant damage during the attack. (Reuters: Thomas Peter)<\/p>\n
At least one person was killed and 29 others injured in Kyiv, Mr Tkachenko said.<\/p>\n
Thousands of residents in Kyiv took refuge inside underground metro stations and other shelters after air raid warnings rang out over the city.<\/p>\n
Most of the country was also under air raid warnings early on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
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A woman seen praying while sheltering within an underground metro station in Kyiv as the Russian attack targeted the city. (Reuters: Alina Smutko)<\/p>\n
In the eastern city of Dnipro, four people died, and 16 others were injured in the Russian attacks, regional governor Oleksandr Hanzha said on Telegram.<\/p>\n
The injured were hospitalised and reported to be in moderate condition.<\/p>\n
A two-story building was also partially destroyed, while several apartments in a four-storey building were damaged.<\/p>\n
Ukraine prepared for ‘massive strike’<\/p>\n
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday reiterated warnings of a possible massive Russian strike, and urged residents to pay special attention to air raid alerts.<\/p>\n
“Intelligence warnings regarding Russian strikes remain in effect. A massive strike is possible; they have prepared one,” he said in his nightly video address.<\/p>\n
“Our defenders are ready 24\/7 to the fullest extent possible with the supplies currently available.”<\/p>\n
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Outside of Kyiv’s metro stations, the attack cut off electricity sources in multiple areas of the capital. (Reuters: Alina Smutko)<\/p>\n
Russia last week warned that it intended to launch “systematic strikes” on targets in Kyiv linked to the Ukrainian military, as well as decision-making centres, and urged foreigners to leave.<\/p>\n