Russia is launching drone and missile assaults on Kiev.
Russia carried out intense missile and drone attacks on various targets in Ukraine throughout the night. In Kyiv, as per Mayor Vitali Klitschko's update on Telegram, two individuals sustained injuries and several districts reported damage. Multiple fires erupted in the western part of the city, leading to property destruction. A metro station also experienced window shattering, although the metro services continue to operate.
Kyiv's Islamic cultural center at a local mosque incurred damage, as announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the X platform. Zelenskyy expressed his dismay, mentioning that Russia disregards ethical and spiritual values and doesn't respect any religion or belief. He added that Russia's objective is to dismantle Ukrainian communities and even their sacred places of worship.
As per Kyiv's military administration, Russian forces attacked the city with cruise missiles and drones, the origin of which was traced back to the Volga region in Russia. Ukraine's air defense managed to down around ten cruise missiles and drones above Kyiv. Nationwide, the military reported intercepting 9 ballistic missiles, 13 cruise missiles, and 20 drones. According to President Zelenskyy, 35 missiles and 23 drones were launched by Russia altogether.
The border town of Sumy was hit particularly hard, resulting in 18 injuries, including six children, following a Russian missile attack, as per official reports. Five high-rise buildings and an educational institution were completely destroyed, according to the local police. Sumy is situated near the Kursk area in Russia, where Ukrainian troops entered earlier in August as part of their counteroffensive.
Further, shelling was also reported from various regions in Ukraine. The border city of Kharkiv was targeted again, resulting in a woman's injury during an overnight drone strike, according to Governor Oleh Synyehubov. Early morning shelling targeted the industrial district of the city, leading to a residential building and three other buildings catching fire in a nearby garden area.
The attack on Ukraine, as mentioned by President Zelenskyy, includes targeting sacred places of worship, such as Kyiv's Islamic cultural center at a local mosque. The Russian forces continuous attacks on Ukraine, like the one in Sumy, disregard ethical and spiritual values.
