Kiev, July 30: Russia launched a significant missile and airstrike against Ukraine early Thursday, resulting in the confirmed deaths of 13 individuals. Among the deceased are six residents from President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih. Tragically, the victims include two girls aged five and twelve. One death has also been confirmed in the capital, Kiev. Just hours before the attacks, President Zelensky had warned of a nationwide large-scale assault.
According to Reuters, Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the military administration in Kryvyi Rih, reported that an Iskander-M ballistic missile, fired from the Voronezh region, directly targeted a private residence on the outskirts of the city. This attack resulted in the deaths of four adults from the same family, along with the two young girls, while eight others sustained injuries. Officials indicate that the death toll may rise.
The Kiev military administration confirmed one fatality in the capital. Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated that fires broke out in several districts of the city. He urged citizens to seek shelter due to the threat of ballistic missile attacks.
In western Ukraine’s Lviv, Russian airstrikes damaged several residential buildings. Mayor Andriy Sadovyi appealed to residents to move to safe locations based on preliminary information.
Hours before the assaults, President Zelensky had warned on social media that Russia had been preparing for large-scale attacks for several days, with fears of extensive strikes during the night. He urged citizens across all regions to heed air raid alerts and stay safe.
In response to the Russian attacks, Poland, which borders Ukraine, deployed fighter jets and an early warning aircraft to secure its airspace. The Polish military reported that ground air defense and radar monitoring systems are on high alert.
President Zelensky once again appealed to Western allies for increased air defense missiles for Ukraine, stating that the safety of civilians depends on the readiness of their partners.
Meanwhile, in the western Russian city of Penza, a Ukrainian drone attack caused a fire at a warehouse of the online retailer Wildberries. According to regional governor Oleg Melnychенко, one person was injured, while approximately 200 others were safely evacuated.
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