Evhen Povarenkov stood near the police perimeter, gazing at the wreckage of his apartment in a Kyiv suburb. The destruction was extensive—his windows shattered, and debris littered the ground, while personal belongings hung from tree branches, a stark testament to the chaos.
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, a cruise missile struck his residential building in the Solomianskyi area, traveling at around 500 mph. The explosion obliterated 35 apartments and created a large void in the structure. By Wednesday afternoon, 23 bodies had been recovered from the ruins, while at least 30 people had lost their lives throughout Ukraine, predominantly in Kyiv.
This attack was part of a massive operation that unleashed over 440 drones and 32 missiles on Ukraine, making it one of the most severe bombardments since the invasion began. Povarenkov, who was in bed during the strike, recalled the horrifying moment: “I lost consciousness. When I awoke, my mother was screaming.”
Across the neighborhood, panic ensued as survivors navigated through the wreckage. “Everything was on fire,” recounted Alla, 69, describing the sound of explosions and the sight of flying debris. Many were injured, and hospitals struggled to cope with the influx of casualties, from cuts to severe internal injuries.
The attack coincided with President Volodymyr Zelensky’s presence at a G7 summit, leading some to believe the timing was a deliberate provocation from Russia, underscoring Ukraine’s urgent requirement for strengthened international assistance and air defense capabilities.
Source: www.bbc.com
