Kyiv Under Fire as Russia Intensifies Attacks Ahead of Invasion Anniversary
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities came under heavy attack Sunday, with explosions reported across the capital and in Lviv, a city near the Polish border, just two days before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Ukrainian officials reported casualties, including a child and a woman injured in Kyiv’s suburbs, and a policewoman killed in Lviv.
The attacks, which began around 4:00 a.m. local time in Kyiv, involved ballistic missiles, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration. Residents were urged to seek shelter as air raid alerts were issued nationwide. A fire broke out on the roof of a residential building, emergency services reported.
Lviv experienced explosions in a central shopping street late Saturday night, resulting in at least 15 injuries in addition to the fatality. Mayor Andriy Sadovyi described the incident as an act of terrorism, though details regarding perpetrators were not immediately available.
The escalation in attacks comes as Russia continues to target Ukraine’s energy and military infrastructure during the winter months. Temperatures in Kyiv had dropped to nearly minus 10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit) at the time of the strikes.
Poland’s Operational Command reported scrambling jets Sunday morning after detecting long-range Russian aviation conducting strikes on Ukrainian territory.
Despite the ongoing conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserted Friday that Ukraine is “definitely not losing” the war and remains focused on achieving victory. He claimed Ukrainian forces have recently reclaimed approximately 300 square kilometers (115 square miles) of territory through counter-attacks, though independent verification of these gains is pending. Zelenskyy also suggested that disruptions to Starlink internet terminals, following a request from Kyiv to owner Elon Musk, have aided these advances.
The United States is reportedly engaged in efforts to broker a peaceful resolution, facilitating several rounds of talks between the two sides without a significant breakthrough. Zelenskyy indicated plans to consult with European leaders and seek greater involvement from Middle Eastern states and Turkey, responding to mounting pressure from Washington to consider concessions.
Russia currently occupies nearly a fifth of Ukrainian territory, continuing to make incremental gains, particularly in the eastern Donbas region, despite substantial losses and Ukrainian strikes on its supply lines. The war, which began on February 24, 2022, has caused widespread devastation, displaced millions, and resulted in significant casualties on both sides.
