Ukraine’s capital city came under intense bombardment from Russian forces during the early hours of Tuesday, with witnesses reporting a massive column of smoke billowing from the city as officials instructed citizens to take cover immediately.
The city’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, reported that flames erupted in the Podil district at a non-residential site, while a nine-story residential building caught fire after what appeared to be debris impact on its rooftop.
“In the Obolon district, cars are burning after being struck by falling missile debris. There are also fires at two locations in open areas, including one near a kindergarten,” Klitschko said on Telegram.
On Monday evening, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had renewed his calls for caution regarding potential large-scale Russian bombardment and emphasized the importance of heeding air raid warnings.
“Intelligence warnings regarding Russian strikes remain in effect. A massive strike is possible, they have prepared one,” Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.
“Our defenders are ready 24/7 to the fullest extent possible with the supplies currently available.”
Russian officials announced last week their plans to conduct “systematic strikes” against Ukrainian military installations and command centers in the capital, while advising foreign nationals to evacuate.
The threatened escalation was described as retaliation for a drone attack the previous week on housing facilities in Ukraine’s Russian-controlled Luhansk region that resulted in 21 deaths. Ukrainian officials have rejected responsibility for that incident.
