Update: 5 killed, 30 injured in Russian attack on Kyiv

In one of the most extensive aerial assaults to date, Russia launched a massive airstrike on Kyiv, resulting in at least five fatalities and numerous injuries, according to Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration. The attack involved 158 drones and missiles, with Ukrainian air defense forces successfully intercepting and downing 114 of them.

The casualties included over 18 civilians killed and 132 wounded across the country, as reported by the National Police. In Kyiv alone, 30 people were wounded, and the casualty count may fluctuate as search and rescue operations continue. The strike damaged several structures, including apartment buildings, warehouses, an office center, a residential house, and a metro station in various neighborhoods in Kyiv.

Emergency services are actively engaged in response efforts, with ongoing search and rescue operations. While there were no direct hits on critical infrastructure or houses in Kyiv Oblast, falling debris caused injuries and damaged 11 homes, according to Kyiv Oblast Governor Ruslan Kravchenko. Despite the devastation, the heating, water, and gas supply to the city remain unaffected.

The international community closely monitors the situation, condemning the indiscriminate attacks on civilians and calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The assault underscores the escalating violence in the region, emphasizing the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the conflict.

Russia attacked Cherkasy Oblast, at least 6 injured

In the afternoon of December 29, Russian forces targeted a residential area in Smila, Cherkasy Oblast, causing injuries to at least six people, as reported by Ihor Taburets, the regional governor. The attack resulted in damage to 12 houses, with emergency services actively engaged in response efforts.

One of the victims is in critical condition, according to Oleksii Kuleba, a Deputy Head of the Presidential Office. The assault occurred at around 3:30 p.m. local time, with the Air Force issuing warnings about Russian missiles moving toward the region. The exact number of missiles hitting the area remains unspecified.

Situated approximately 25 kilometers southwest of Cherkasy in central Ukraine, Smila becomes another target in the broader pattern of intensified Russian attacks across the country. In a mass assault on December 29, Russia launched 158 attack drones and missiles at various cities, resulting in 26 fatalities and over 120 injuries, according to the latest update from Kuleba. The international community closely monitors these developments, condemning the indiscriminate targeting of civilians and urging diplomatic solutions to bring an end to the conflict.

Death toll from missile attack on Zaporizhzhia rises to 7

In a morning missile attack on December 29, the city of Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine experienced a devastating assault that resulted in at least seven fatalities and 13 injuries, according to Yurii Malashko, the head of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration. The attack is part of a broader and intensified offensive by Russian forces, who deployed Kh-22, Kh-32, Kh-101, and Zircon missiles targeting Zaporizhzhia and causing significant damage to civilian infrastructure.

The tragic incident adds to the escalating toll of casualties and destruction across Ukraine, as the conflict continues to unfold. The international community closely monitors these developments, expressing deep concern over the indiscriminate targeting of civilian areas and advocating for diplomatic solutions to bring an end to the crisis. The humanitarian impact on the affected communities underscores the urgent need for international support and intervention to mitigate the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire.