- National Academy of Sciences in central Kyiv hit during daytime assault; dozens injured across the Ukrainian capital and other regions
- Ukraine has retaliated by targeting Russian oil facilities and military assets to weaken Moscow’s war efforts
KYIV: At least two people were killed and dozens more injured on Monday after Russian drone strikes hit Kyiv and several other Ukrainian cities, in one of the most sustained aerial assaults on the Ukrainian capital since the beginning of the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said nine people had been killed and more than 80 injured in Russian drone attacks across the country.
Two people were killed in strikes on central Kyiv, including an attack that damaged the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Emergency services later reported that one of the victims had been recovered from beneath the rubble.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said 24 people were injured in several attacks across the capital, with six receiving treatment in hospitals.
Air-raid sirens sounded across the city for much of the day as smoke rose from damaged sites and emergency crews worked to rescue victims and extinguish fires.
High-Speed Drones Pose New Challenge
Ukrainian officials said Russia has increasingly used faster, high-flying, jet-powered drones in attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities in recent weeks.
In his evening address, Zelensky said Ukraine was facing difficulties intercepting the new type of drone. He said Russia had launched 120 drones, including 90 jet-powered systems, and that Ukrainian forces had intercepted 57 percent of the overall attack.
“New interceptors are being actively tested,” Zelensky said, adding that some Ukrainian combat units were already using the systems while developers worked to improve their effectiveness and expand production.
Officials reported damage to a number of civilian and commercial facilities in Kyiv, including a pharmaceutical company, petrol stations and a medical facility. Other regions also reported strikes affecting businesses, civilian infrastructure and communications facilities.
Academy of Sciences Building Damaged
The historic National Academy of Sciences building in central Kyiv was among the sites hit during the attack.
Firefighters battled flames inside the damaged building while rescue teams searched through the rubble. Debris was scattered across the courtyard, with at least one vehicle partially buried.
Two survivors were seen escaping from upper floors through windows before climbing down ladders positioned by emergency personnel.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the attack, particularly its impact on a scientific institution during working hours, and called on Ukraine’s international partners to strengthen the country’s air-defense capabilities.
Deadly Strike Hits Business Centre in Dnipro
The southeastern city of Dnipro was also hit by Russian drones, with officials reporting fatalities and numerous injuries.
Three people were killed in an attack on a business centre, while another person was killed at a logistics office in nearby Synelnykove, according to regional officials.
Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi said 19 people were injured in the daytime attack on the business centre.
Regional Governor Oleksandr Hanzha said the facility was located in a densely populated central area surrounded by residential buildings, a park, a library and offices.
“Hundreds of people are here in the middle of the working day,” he said.
Emergency services also reported that an attack on infrastructure in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia injured 32 people.
Ukraine Reports New Russian Military Recruitment
Zelensky also cited a report by Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence, known as HUR, which he said indicated that Russia was expanding recruitment for its armed forces.
According to Zelensky, Russia was increasing the number of people recruited through various channels and he urged governments of countries from which Russia recruits personnel to take measures in response.
He also said approximately 8,000 North Korean troops who were sent to Russia in 2024 remained there, while another 10,000 were undergoing training.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected suggestions that Moscow is preparing a new nationwide military mobilization, describing such claims as “utter nonsense.”
Ukraine Continues Strikes Inside Russia
Ukraine has also continued conducting attacks against targets inside Russia, including oil refineries and other facilities linked to the Russian economy and defense sector.
Zelensky said Monday that Ukrainian forces had struck oil facilities in Russia’s Krasnodar region as well as two defense-related plants.
Both Moscow and Kyiv have repeatedly denied deliberately targeting civilians.
The latest attacks nevertheless highlight the continuing expansion of aerial warfare, with increasingly sophisticated drones being used against major population centres and critical economic and infrastructure facilities on both sides.
BY: The Times Union – REUTERS
