Russian forces on Saturday intensified attacks in Kyiv, western Ukraine and adjoining areas. The action is a reminder to Ukrainians and their Western supporters that the whole country is in danger even as Russia intensifies fresh attacks on the east. Furious over the destruction of a key warship in the Black Sea and Ukraine’s alleged invasion of Russian territory, Moscow has warned of renewed missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital.
Russian officials said they were targeting military sites during the 52 days of the war. However, the people of Ukraine have denied this claim of Russia.
The death toll in Ukraine continues to rise. Every day civilian casualties are revealed. Authorities in Kyiv’s outlying towns and villages were reported to have found the bodies of more than 900 civilians, most of whom had been shot to death, after the Russian army retreated nearly two weeks ago.
A plume of smoke rose again from the capital early on Saturday, and mayor Vitaly Klitschko reported an attack there, killing one person and injuring several others. The mayor has advised residents not to return who had fled the city when the war broke out. “We are not ruling out the possibility of further attacks on the capital,” Klitschko said. If you have the option of staying for a few days in those cities where you are safe, then stay there.” .
Situated at the southeast end of the capital, the district has many Soviet-style apartments, shopping centres, large retail outlets, industrial units and rail yards. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said an armored vehicle plant was targeted. However, he did not specify where the plant was located, but there are reports of such a factory in Darnitsky District.
According to the spokesman, the plant is one of several Ukrainian military installations that have been targeted by highly accurate long-range missiles. It was the second major strike in Kyiv after Russian military warned this week of intensifying missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital. Earlier, the Russian military on Friday targeted a missile plant in Ukraine.