Russia Launches Massive Air Strikes on Kyiv and Odesa; Maternity Ward Hit, Two Killed
Kyiv : In one of the most extensive aerial assaults since the onset of the war, Russia launched overnight missile and drone strikes on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv and the southern city of Odesa, killing at least two people and injuring several others. The attacks, described by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as “one of the largest” on Kyiv, have intensified concerns over civilian safety amid a renewed Russian offensive.
Key Developments:
Major Attack on Kyiv: Russia struck seven of Kyiv’s ten districts, lighting up the night sky with explosions and fires. At least four people were hospitalized following the strike.
President Zelenskiy remarked, “Russian missile and Shahed drone strikes drown out the efforts of the United States and others around the world to force Russia into peace.”
Maternity Hospital Struck in Odesa: In Odesa, drone strikes hit a maternity ward, an emergency medical building, and residential areas.
Two men were killed, while hospital staff and patients were safely evacuated, said regional governor Oleh Kiper.
Ukrainian Air Defenses Respond: Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 315 drones, of which 277 were intercepted, along with seven missiles, all of which were shot down.
Air raid sirens blared for five continuous hours in Kyiv and other regions.
Background to the Assault: The latest barrage follows Ukraine’s June 1 strikes on Russian airbases and infrastructure, including a bridge explosion that killed seven. Russia described its own attacks as retaliatory.
Stalled Peace Process: While Moscow and Kyiv have held two rounds of peace talks recently, progress has been minimal. The only agreement achieved so far involves prisoner exchanges.
Both sides blame each other for the deadlock.
International Reactions & Airspace Disruptions: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called for new sanctions and the urgent deployment of air defense systems from allied nations.
In Russia, flights were suspended overnight at airports in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and nine other cities amid fears of Ukrainian drone incursions. Operations later resumed in most cities, with no reported damage.
