Russian ballistic missiles kill at least five in Ukraine's Kyiv, spark fires

KYIV, Ukraine - Russian ballistic missiles struck Kyiv early Thursday, killing at least five people and injuring over two dozen, according to authorities. The attacks caused extensive damage to buildings and left parts of the Ukrainian capital without power. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that people were trapped in a residential building and fires broke out in multiple locations, including non-residential facilities, warehouses, and a children's hospital.

A Reuters witness reported hearing more than a dozen explosions. In the region surrounding Kyiv, another person was killed, according to a separate official. Ukraine's emergency service released video of firefighters battling a blaze in a building and helping people escape destroyed facilities during the night.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has intensified since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, with both sides launching attacks almost daily. Diplomatic efforts involving the United States and Europe have thus far failed to achieve a lasting ceasefire. Poland, a NATO and European Union member bordering Ukraine, initiated defensive air operations to safeguard its airspace, as reported by its military on X.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has presented proposals to US negotiators, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, for ending the war. Zelenskiy has repeatedly sought interceptor missiles from the United States to counter Russian missile attacks. However, Russia has not received specific proposals for new meetings with US negotiators, according to Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for Russia’s foreign ministry. Witkoff and Kushner visited Moscow in January but have not yet traveled to Kyiv.