- A residential building in Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi district partially collapsed due to a Russian drone strike, injuring 17 and killing 3.
- Ukraine’s Air Force intercepted 11 out of 13 drones targeting the capital, but one exploded-laden drone caused catastrophic damage.
- The building’s collapse affected at least 12 apartments, with multiple residents trapped under debris.
- Satellite imagery reveals extensive damage to adjacent structures, including shattered windows and burned-out vehicles.
- Power and gas lines were severed, complicating rescue operations in central Kyiv.
Russian forces launched a coordinated drone and missile attack on Kyiv overnight, resulting in the partial collapse of a residential building in the city’s Shevchenkivskyi district. Emergency services confirmed that multiple residents are believed to be trapped under debris, with at least 17 injured and three fatalities reported. Ukraine’s Air Force intercepted 11 of 13 drones targeting the capital, but at least one explosive-laden drone struck the structure directly, causing a catastrophic structural failure. The assault marks one of the most damaging strikes on central Kyiv in recent months.
Destruction Across Central Kyiv
According to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the four-story apartment building was hit between 3:17 and 3:23 a.m. local time. “The impact caused immediate collapse of the central section, affecting at least 12 apartments,” said Serhii Popko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, in a statement published on Telegram. Satellite imagery from Reuters shows extensive damage to adjacent structures, with shattered windows and burned-out vehicles littering the streets. Power and gas lines were severed, complicating rescue operations.
Ukrainian Forces and Civilians Respond
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack in a morning address, calling it “a deliberate strike on civilian life.” “They aim to terrorize, but they only strengthen our resolve,” he said. Residents assisted emergency crews in digging through rubble with bare hands, while military engineers deployed sniffer dogs and thermal drones to locate survivors. The Kyiv City Council activated emergency shelters, with over 200 civilians temporarily relocated. International condemnation followed, with the BBC reporting EU leaders vowing additional sanctions against Russian defense suppliers.
Where This Stands Now
Rescue operations continue under hazardous conditions, with structural engineers warning of potential aftershock collapses. Ukrainian air defenses remain on high alert, detecting new drone incursions near Cherkasy and Zhytomyr. Officials expect casualty figures to rise as search teams gain access to lower levels of the wreckage. The attack underscores Russia’s renewed focus on degrading Ukrainian morale ahead of expected spring offensives in the east.
Source: Al Jazeera