war in Ukraine
Dead after Russian rocket attack on skyscraper in Dnipro
A photo released by the Dnipro Regional Administration
© Uncredited/Dnipro Regional Administration/AP/dpa
According to the presidential office, these are the first major Russian rocket attacks since the turn of the year. In addition to Kyiv, many other cities are affected. In Dnipro there are dead in a residential building.
At least five people were killed in a Russian rocket attack on an inhabited skyscraper in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, according to preliminary information from the authorities. At least 27 people were injured, including six children, the authorities said on Saturday. Rescue workers pulled people out of the rubble of the partially collapsed house.
According to Ukrainian media reports, buried residents there also used their flashlights on mobile phones to signal where they were under the rubble in order to be rescued. Many also shouted, according to video shared on social media.
The Presidential Administration in Kyiv has released photos and videos of the ruined building. The head of the presidential office in Kyiv, Andriy Yermak, was appalled: “Russians are terrorists who will be punished for everything. Everyone – without exception.” He said that the anti-aircraft and air force were doing their job. “We will fight back,” he stressed. The enemy does not change tactics and continues to strike civilian infrastructure.
Air alert across the country
The rocket hit in Dnipro was the most momentous of several attacks on Saturday. It was the first major Russian attack of this kind since the turn of the year. The Ukrainian Air Force had previously warned of possible new attacks. Accordingly, numerous Russian long-range bombers of the Tupolev Tu-95 type were in the air during the day. In addition, Russian warships had taken up positions in the Black Sea, from which rockets are also repeatedly fired.
The Ukrainian authorities announced on Saturday that there was an air alert across the country. In addition to numerous regions, including Odessa in the south, Kharkiv in the east and Lviv (Lemberg) in the west, the capital Kyiv was once again affected by the shelling. There were several explosions. People have been urged to seek shelter.
Fires in Kyiv and many power outages
Authorities also reported new targeted attacks on energy infrastructure. There were power outages in many places, and people were left in the dark. These were the first attacks of this kind since the turn of the year.
According to the Mayor of Kiev, Vitali Klitschko, rocket debris fell in the capital as early as the morning. A fire in an unoccupied building was extinguished. In the afternoon, the media reported a cloud of smoke at the main train station in the metropolis.
Since mid-October, Russia has launched numerous large-scale attacks, primarily on objects in the Ukrainian energy system. Due to the massive destruction of the infrastructure, there are power outages in many places, affecting millions of people. The Ukrainian government accuses Russia of “terrorism” – with the aim of plunging the country into darkness and cold. Kyiv has accused Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin of wanting to force people to flee in order to destabilize the situation in the EU through mass immigration.