Russian forces launch ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia: casualties reported, infrastructure severely damaged
Early in the morning, January 18, powerful explosions were heard in Kyiv during the announcement of a large-scale alert across Ukraine due to the threat of ballistic missiles, air defenses were working in the capital: fires broke out as a result of the attack, there are dead and wounded. The enemy also struck Zaporizhzhia: an infrastructure facility was hit, 10 people were injured.
Rubryka writes about this, referring to the message of Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko, on Telegram of the head of the KMVA Timur Tkachenko, Zaporizhzhia Military Administration.
Kyiv
After the end of the UAV attack, powerful explosions were heard in the capital a few minutes later, Rubryka's correspondent reports. And within a few seconds, an air alert sounded. The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine then informed that there was a threat of the use of ballistic weapons for the regions where the alert was declared.
"It's noisy again in the capital. Air defense is working. Ballistics threat. Stay in shelters!" the message says.
After the next explosions, the media reported that water had disappeared in some areas of the capital.
At 06:04, Klitschko reported on the initial consequences of the attack.
"A fire in the Shevchenkivskyi district. A non-residential building. All units are heading to the scene," he stated.
According to the city mayor, in the same district, windows were shattered in buildings, and smoke was present in the entrance of a residential high-rise building.
"The glass elements of the entrance to the Lukianivska metro station are damaged. It is currently closed for entry and exit. Trains are proceeding without stopping at the station," the mayor added.
A water supply pipeline was also damaged in the Shevchenkivskyi district.
"Repair crews are heading to the scene," Klitschko added.
Photo: State Emergency Service
In turn, at 06:18, the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, Timur Tkachenko, reported the first casualty.
"According to operational data, 1 person died in the Shevchenkivskyi district as a result of an enemy attack," he noted.
Within a few minutes, the head of the KMVA reported an increase in the number of victims.
"In Kyiv, there are already four deaths in the Shevchenkivskyi district and three injured," he emphasized.
Photo: State Emergency Service
Photo: State Emergency Service
Meanwhile, debris was recorded falling in the Holosiivskyi district.
Debris was also recorded falling in the Desnianskyi district.
The State Emergency Service reported on efforts to address the consequences of the Russian shelling in the Shevchenkivskyi district of Kyiv:
"The fire of three cars was eliminated. Ten cars were damaged. There is also partial destruction of the administrative building, the building of the business center, and the store.
The main water supply was damaged. A fire was discovered in one of the buildings, which has already been localized," the report states.
According to preliminary information, three people died as a result of the impact, and three others were injured (the KCMA, meanwhile, reported four deaths).
The State Emergency Service added that 84 rescuers and 22 units of basic and special fire and rescue equipment are currently working at the scene.
It should be noted that before the missiles reached Kyiv, air defense forces in the capital and its suburbs successfully repelled an attack by strike drones.
Zaporizhzhia
During the same air alert regarding the ballistic threat from the Russian Federation, Russian forces targeted Zaporizhzhia.
"The enemy struck an infrastructure facility in Zaporizhzhia. There are preliminary injuries. More information later," stated Ivan Fedorov, head of the military administration.
Photo: Telegram/ Zaporizhzhia Regional Administration
Photo: Telegram/ Zaporizhzhia Regional Administration
Initially, the head of the region reported that two people were injured as a result of the enemy attack on Zaporizhzhia.
"The enemy struck the city center of the regional capital. The administrative building of one of the industrial facilities was partially destroyed. Residential buildings and private transport were damaged," stated the head of the RMA.
Photo: Telegram/ Zaporizhzhia Regional Administration
Photo: Telegram/ Zaporizhzhia Regional Administration
Later, Fedorov reported that the number of injured had risen to six people.
"One woman is in serious condition. Two more women and three men are in moderate condition. All injured are in the hospital. Medics are providing the necessary assistance. Five ambulance teams are working at the scene of the hits," he specified.
At 8:30 a.m., the head of the RMA announced that the number of injured had increased to eight people.
Subsequently, it was reported that the number of injured had grown to ten.
Medics provided assistance to two injured individuals at the site of the missile strike. Eight others, aged 28 to 69, were hospitalized, with a 48-year-old woman in serious condition.
Let us recall that on the evening of January 16, the enemy launched several groups of strike drones over Ukraine. In the Kyiv region, a child was injured in one of the settlements due to debris from downed Russian drones, which also caused a fire. Additionally, during the drone air attack, the Russians struck the Izmail district in the Odesa region.
