Russian missile barrage across Ukraine's capital kills at least 12 and wounds 33

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - A Russian missile barrage overnight Thursday claimed at least 12 lives and left 33 others injured in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. Emergency Service officials reported that the air raid alert persisted into the early morning hours. The strikes targeted 12 locations across three districts: Darnytskyi, Sviatoshynskyi, and Solomianskyi.

The explosions inflicted significant damage on residential buildings, a medical facility, and an educational institution. Rescue crews worked tirelessly to extricate survivors from the debris. In Solomianskyi district, the upper two floors of a nine-story residential building collapsed, resulting in a tragic loss of life. Among the victims was a 60-year-old woman, Larysa Bondaruk, who recounted the harrowing ordeal of her neighbor's grandson, who perished under the rubble.

Her own apartment sustained considerable damage. Bondaruk expressed deep gratitude to the rescuers for their swift and professional response. The Russian military has ramped up its ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv to deplete the city's air defense capabilities, as Ukraine's inventory of interceptors for its U.S.-made Patriot systems remains limited.

President Donald Trump had once authorized Ukraine to produce Patriots but later revoked the permission. Meanwhile, Ukraine has intensified its own offensive, targeting Russian military infrastructure and supply lines deep within the country in an attempt to weaken Moscow's ability to launch further assaults on Ukrainian cities.