Russian missile attack kills civilian in Kyiv
- A pre-dawn missile attack on Kyiv resulted in the death of at least one person and injuries to several others.
- Emergency services responded to multiple districts in the city, battling fires and assessing damage from the strikes.
- Ukrainian officials continue to call for unity and international support in light of ongoing hostilities.
On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, a pre-dawn missile attack launched by Russian forces struck the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, resulting in the death of one civilian and injuries to at least four others. The assault began around 4:30 AM local time, coinciding with air raid alerts and powerful explosions that reverberated throughout the city. Among the injured was a nine-year-old child, illustrating the indiscriminate nature of the attack on a city populated by around three million residents. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine confirmed that the attack caused fires in several districts of Kyiv, including the Obolonsky district, where the fatal incident occurred. Emergency responders reported that they were called to at least four areas within the city to address ongoing fires linked to the missile strikes. Significant destruction was observed, with multiple residential and non-residential buildings affected, and local officials indicated that fire crews were working tirelessly to contain the blazes resulting from the explosions. Kyiv's mayor, Vitali Klitschko, provided updates indicating the gravity of the situation, while highlighting the need for emergency services to manage at least four targeted districts. The comprehensive response involved more than 80 rescuers combating flames that engulfed parts of the affected structures. Eyewitness reports described scenes of chaos as residents were awakened by the sudden violence, underscoring the continued threat to civilian safety in the conflict that has lasted nearly four years. Ukrainian authorities emphasized the need for unity against such acts of violence and expressed concern over the implications for peace negotiations. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russia's actions, framing them as an ongoing terror campaign against Ukraine. He reinforced the importance of international collaboration to secure a resolution to the conflict and hinted at upcoming discussions with U.S. officials. Amidst the devastation, the Ukrainian military also reported successful interception of several missiles prior to the attack, highlighting their commitment to defend against future threats to national security.