Debris from Intercepted Missiles Causes Widespread Damage; Zelensky Urges Stronger International Sanctions Against Russia
Kyiv [Ukraine], December 21: A Russian missile attack on Kyiv early Friday morning resulted in one fatality and left 12 others injured, with several foreign embassies sustaining damage, according to Ukrainian authorities, as reported by CNN.
The Kyiv City Military Administration confirmed the casualties via a Telegram post, noting that five of the injured were hospitalized while others received on-site medical assistance.
Intercepted Missiles, Deadly Debris
The assault began around 7 AM, with five ballistic missiles launched at Kyiv, all intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses, according to Ukraine’s Air Force Command. Additionally, 40 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were destroyed, while 20 drones failed to reach their targets.
Despite the successful interception, falling debris caused significant damage in multiple districts across Kyiv.
Serhiy Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, reported on Telegram that debris impacted infrastructure across the city. Damage included an office building, gas pipelines, and road surfaces, with five cars catching fire. In another district, a construction site caught fire following the attack.
Embassy Damage and International Condemnation
Several embassies—including those of Albania, Argentina, Palestine, North Macedonia, Portugal, and Montenegro—reported damage to their facilities. Windows and doors were shattered, and buildings were left exposed to the elements.
Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for Ukraine’s foreign ministry, condemned the assault as “barbaric.” Meanwhile, Portugal’s foreign ministry reported light damage and summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires in protest.
Russia Claims Retaliation
The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it targeted Ukrainian military sites in retaliation for an earlier Ukrainian missile strike on a chemical plant in Russia’s Rostov region.
In a statement on Telegram, the ministry claimed to have successfully hit SBU command posts, the Kyiv Luch design bureau, and Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems, asserting that “all targets were achieved.”
Zelensky Responds with Calls for Sanctions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack and called for increased international sanctions against Russia.
“I thank all our partners who are responding to these and other Russian attacks by being ready to provide more air defense systems,” Zelensky stated, as quoted by CNN.
Shelling in Kherson
In a separate incident, Russian forces shelled the southern city of Kherson, killing two people and injuring 10 others, according to Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the Kherson regional military administration.
As investigations continue and recovery efforts are underway, the attacks highlight the persistent threat posed by Russian strikes and the urgent need for enhanced international support for Ukraine’s air defense systems.
