Kyiv — Ukrainian authorities have confirmed that Russian missile and drone strikes on the capital and its surrounding areas have resulted in the first civilian fatalities of the year, underscoring the continued human toll of the prolonged conflict.
According to Ukrainian officials, overnight attacks struck multiple locations in and around Kyiv, causing damage to residential buildings and civilian facilities. In one incident, a medical facility in the city’s Obolonskyi district caught fire following a strike, where emergency responders later recovered the body of a civilian.
Regional authorities also reported another civilian death in the Fastiv district, southwest of the capital, as homes and infrastructure sustained damage from the bombardment. Several residents were injured, while dozens were evacuated from affected areas amid fears of further attacks.
The strikes disrupted daily life in parts of the Kyiv region, with power outages reported and emergency services working through the night to contain fires and secure damaged structures. Local officials described the situation as tense, noting that civilian areas were once again caught in the crossfire.
Ukrainian leaders have strongly condemned the attacks, stating that Russian forces continue to target populated areas despite Moscow’s repeated claims that its operations focus solely on military infrastructure. Kyiv has urged the international community to maintain pressure on Russia and increase support for Ukraine’s air defence capabilities.
Russia has not immediately commented on the latest incident. However, the attack adds to a long list of strikes that Ukrainian officials say have disproportionately affected civilians since the start of the war.
Analysts say the deaths mark a troubling start to the new year, highlighting that despite shifting battlefronts and diplomatic efforts, the war continues to pose a severe threat to civilian lives, particularly in major urban centres.
As fighting grinds on into another year, the latest casualties in Kyiv serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing cost of the conflict for ordinary Ukrainians.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.