Kyiv, Ukraine – The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has escalated, with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Ukrainian government has made it clear that it will not surrender Crimea, a southern peninsula that was annexed by Russia in 2014. Currently, Moscow controls approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, leading to a devastating impact on the country and its people.

As the conflict intensifies, reports have emerged of the tragic consequences facing the city of Kyiv. The state emergencies ministry DSNS and the interior ministry have confirmed that nine individuals lost their lives during an overnight Russian attack in the capital city. Among the injured were six children and a pregnant woman, with fires breaking out in multiple locations and individuals trapped under rubble following the destruction of a residential building.

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko described the chaotic scene, stating that the sound of phone calls could be heard emanating from the wreckage, while two children were reported missing. Rescue teams, equipped with sniffer dogs, tirelessly searched through the debris in hopes of finding survivors. Mayor Klitschko of Kyiv highlighted the western Svyatoshynskyi district as the hardest hit, with footage circulating on social media showing missiles striking the city and causing significant fires.

In the city of Kharkiv, located approximately 40km from the Russian border, Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported that two individuals sustained injuries as a result of a Russian missile and drone attack. Numerous private residences suffered damage during the assault, indicating the widespread impact of the conflict. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force issued a warning that all regions of the country were at risk of air strikes, heightening concerns for civilian safety.

Despite the devastating events unfolding, the Russian military has remained silent on the reported attacks, while the Russian defense ministry claimed that 87 Ukrainian drones were destroyed or intercepted overnight in various Russian regions. The situation remains fluid and volatile, with the people of Ukraine facing immense challenges and uncertainty as the conflict continues to escalate.