More than 50 people were injured when Ukraine’s capital became the target of another ballistic missile attack from Russia, officials said on Wednesday.
A series of loud explosions could be heard in Kyiv at around 3am and the city’s air defences were activated for the second time this week.
Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 10 ballistic missiles toward the capital and all were intercepted by air defences.
However, debris from intercepted missiles fell in the eastern Dniprovskyi district, injuring at least 53 people, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Kitschko said on Telegram.
Some 20 people including two children were admitted to hospital while 33 people received medical treatment on the spot.
An apartment building, a house and several cars caught fire, while the windows of a children’s hospital were shattered, Mr Klitschko said.
Falling rocket debris also damaged the water supply system in the district.
It was not immediately clear what type of missile was used in the attack.
In other parts of Ukraine, 10 Russian drones were shot down, most of them in the Odesa region, the Ukrainian air force said.
The attack on the capital underscored the continuing threat to Ukraine from the Kremlin’s missile arsenal in the 21-month war.
In recent months, Russia has been stockpiling its air-launched cruise missiles from its heavy bomber fleet, according to a recent assessment by the UK Ministry of Defence.
That may herald another heavy winter bombardment of Ukraine’s power grid.
Last year, Moscow targeted energy infrastructure in an effort to deny Ukrainians heat, light and running water and break their fighting spirit.
Ukraine has dwindling supplies of air defence munitions and other ammunition, which prompted Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy to visit Washington for a meeting with US president, Joe Biden. His trip accomplished no breakthrough.
Mr Zelenskiy said on Telegram on Wednesday that he and Mr Biden agreed to work on increasing the number of air defence systems in Ukraine.
“The terrorist state has just demonstrated how crucial this decision is,” Mr Zelenskiy said, referring to the overnight strikes.
The Ukrainian president on met with Nordic leaders in Oslo who feel the potential threat from nearby Russia and are among Kyiv’s staunchest supporters.
“Russia is eager to exploit divisions,” the senior leaders from Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Finland and Sweden said in a joint statement. “We must continue to stand united against Russia’s illegal and immoral war.”
They vowed “comprehensive assistance” for Ukraine.
“Now is not the time to tire,” the Nordic leaders said, amid signs of war fatigue among Kyiv’s foreign supporters.
“We are in a critical phase where Europe must continue to show its support,” Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen said in a statement.
