Kyiv, July 30 (ANI): Russia launched missiles at Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities early Thursday, hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Moscow was preparing a “massive attack,” CNN reported.
At least one person was killed in the strikes on Kyiv, according to the city’s military administration. Dnipro and Kryvyi Rih also came under attack, while Ukraine’s Air Force confirmed ballistic missile strikes on the capital.
The Air Force warned that “several waves” of cruise missiles had been launched from Russian strategic aircraft. It also reported cruise missile launches from the Novorossiysk area in southern Russia.
Following the initial barrage, Ukraine’s Air Force warned that “more ballistic missiles” were heading toward Kyiv.
“The threat of further attacks remains,” Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said, urging residents to stay in shelters.
According to CNN, videos posted on social media showed families taking shelter inside crowded Kyiv metro stations, with some people sleeping on the floors under blankets or inside small tents.
CNN also reported graphic footage from the village of Radushne near Kryvyi Rih showing the aftermath of a strike, with bodies lying amid the rubble of a destroyed building as fires continued to burn.
The attack came a day after Zelenskyy met President Donald Trump at the White House and requested additional air defense systems to help Ukraine counter Russian missile attacks.
Hours before the strikes, Zelenskyy said he had received a briefing from Air Force Commander Anatolii Kryvonozhko indicating that Russia was preparing a large-scale attack.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy wrote, “I received a report from Air Force Commander Anatolii Kryvonozhko. The Russians prepared a massive attack several days ago, and there is a high probability that the strike will be carried out tonight.”
“There is a high probability that the strike will be carried out tonight,” he added.
The latest Russian assault comes as the more than four-year war continues, with Moscow repeatedly targeting Ukrainian cities with missile and drone attacks.
Earlier this week, Zelenskyy said President Donald Trump, Ukraine, and European allies all want to end the war with Russia but accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of refusing even a temporary ceasefire, arguing that stronger pressure and additional sanctions remain necessary.
In an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Zelenskyy said Ukraine continues to pursue diplomacy but alleged that Moscow has rejected those efforts.
“We want to stop this war. President Trump wants to stop this war, and the Europeans want to stop it. Putin doesn’t. We are asking every day to negotiate at least a ceasefire for some period of time and give diplomats the opportunity to negotiate. But Putin doesn’t want that. That’s the problem. That’s why we need to respond. We need to be tough. We need to be strong. And we’re counting on sanctions. By the way, Lindsey’s bill was very important,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy also highlighted the growth of Ukraine’s domestic defense industry since the start of the war.
“Since the beginning of the war, when Putin said he would occupy us in two or three days, we have built a great military technology industry. We now have 500 companies with very strong technologies supporting our soldiers on the front lines,” he said.
Claiming that Russia is sustaining heavy battlefield losses, Zelenskyy said, “Putin is now losing 30,000 soldiers a month. Those are enormous losses. As President Trump says, there have been many losses. But Putin still doesn’t want to stop this war.”
He added that the balance of momentum had shifted in Ukraine’s favor.
“Now the initiative is no longer in Putin’s hands, and that is the biggest change,” Zelenskyy said. (ANI)
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