A devastating Russian missile attack on Kyiv early Friday resulted in significant destruction, marking yet another escalation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The assault left one person dead and 12 others injured, with six embassies suffering damage. Ukrainian authorities condemned the strike as a blatant violation of international norms, further straining relations between Russia and the global community.
The Russian Missile Attack: A Morning of Chaos in Kyiv
The missile attack unfolded at approximately 7 am, as Russia launched five ballistic missiles targeting the Ukrainian capital. Ukraine’s Air Force Command reported that all the missiles were intercepted by their air defense systems.
However, falling debris from the intercepted missiles caused widespread damage in Kyiv’s city center, affecting infrastructure, vehicles, and residential areas.
Serhiy Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, described the impact of the attack on Telegram. In one district, debris damaged an office building, roadways, and a gas pipeline, while five cars were engulfed in flames. In another area, a building under construction caught fire, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the assault.
Read : NATO Members Pledge 40 Billion Euros in Military Aid for Ukraine in Washington Summit
In addition to the missile barrage, Ukraine’s air defenses neutralized 40 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and reported that another 20 drones failed to reach their intended targets. Despite these efforts, the destruction caused by falling debris was substantial, with several areas in Kyiv bearing the brunt of the attack.
Damage to Embassies: A Diplomatic Breach
The assault also resulted in significant damage to six embassies located in Kyiv. The foreign ministry of Ukraine confirmed that the embassies of Albania, Argentina, Palestine, North Macedonia, Portugal, and Montenegro were impacted. Windows and doors of these diplomatic premises were shattered, symbolizing a stark violation of international conventions that protect diplomatic missions during conflicts.
Read : Even if Ukraine loses Pokrovsk, Russia to take years to capture entire Donetsk: US defence official
Portugal’s foreign ministry reported light damage to its embassy and lodged a formal protest by summoning Russia’s charge d’affaires. Heorhii Tykhyi, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s foreign ministry, condemned the attack as “barbaric” and underscored the importance of international solidarity in holding Russia accountable for its actions.
The targeting of diplomatic missions further complicates the geopolitical landscape, as it risks drawing stronger international condemnation and potentially intensifying sanctions against Russia. Such actions violate the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which obligates states to protect foreign missions, even in times of war.
Global Reactions and Ongoing Escalation
The missile attack on Kyiv is seen as a retaliatory measure by Russia. According to country’s defense ministry, the strike targeted Ukrainian military facilities, including the SBU command post, the Kyiv Luch design bureau, and positions of the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system. Country claimed these actions were in response to a Ukrainian missile strike earlier in the week on a chemical plant in the Rostov region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly condemned the attack and called for heightened international sanctions against Russia. He emphasized the need for additional air defense systems to protect Ukraine from such assaults.
“I would also like to thank all of our partners who are responding to this and other Russian attacks by being ready to provide more air defense systems,” Zelensky said, expressing gratitude to Ukraine’s allies.
Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russian forces launched heavy shelling on the southern city of Kherson, killing two people and injuring 10. Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the Kherson regional military administration, reported the incident, highlighting the widespread nature of Russian aggression across Ukraine.
This escalation underscores the ongoing human and infrastructural toll of the conflict, which has continued unabated since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The attacks not only impact military and civilian targets but also threaten international diplomacy and the safety of foreign missions operating in Ukraine.