Kyiv Engulfed in Smoke After Massive Russian Barrage, Dozens Injured, Helicopters Battle Fires
Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on Kyiv overnight into Thursday, July 3, injuring at least 23 people and igniting fires across the city.
Helicopters were seen by Kyiv Post correspondent drawing water from local lakes to battle the blazes, while thick smoke hung over residential areas well into the morning.
An air alert was declared in Kyiv at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, due to the threat of a drone attack. It lasted until 7:24 p.m., but at 8:00 p.m., the sirens sounded again.
Kyiv Post correspondents heard the work of mobile fire teams and the sounds of Shahed drones flying over residential areas in different districts of the city.
Early on Friday morning, July 4, starting at 2 a.m. and lasting until approximately 4 a.m., a series of powerful explosions rocked Kyiv. The capital was under a combined attack by Russian forces, involving both ballistic missiles and drones.
At 4:50 a.m., the alarm was lifted; however, at 5:06 a.m., another air raid alert was issued in Kyiv due to the renewed threat of Russian strike drones. It was canceled only at 8:43 a.m.
The Kyiv City State Administration (KMDA) reported on the consequences of the attack on Kyiv as of 4:10 a.m.
In the Dniprovskyi district, UAV debris fell in the courtyards of residential buildings and on the territory of an educational institution, without causing fire.
In Solomyanskyi, debris fell on non-residential buildings. On the territory of a garage cooperative, a fire broke out. Warehouses were also burning in this area, as well as an administrative building.
The State Emergency Service (DSNS) later clarified that in the Solomyanskyi district, a 5-story building was partially destroyed. A fire broke out on the roof of a 7-story building, covering an area of 2,000 sq. m. Fires also broke out in a warehouse building, on the territory of a service station, and a garage cooperative. Much civilian infrastructure was damaged.
Source: Julia Struck