Kiev was again attacked by Russia on Monday, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office saying “kamikaze drones” were used against Ukraine’s capital.
In a statement, Andrii Yermak, head of the president’s office, confirmed explosions in Kiev and said using drones as ammunition will backfire.
He called for more air defense assistance from the West.
On social media platform Telegram, Kiev mayor Vitali Klitschko said a Russian drone mission led to a fire at a non-residential building in the city’s central Shevchenkiv district.
Several other buildings were damaged, Klitschko said, and medics were on the scene to assess the number and circumstances of the victims.
On Twitter, the mayor said airstrikes were in effect throughout the city and would continue. He urged residents to seek shelter and stay there.
Alexander Kamyshin, CEO of state rail services, said the attacks had reached an area near Kiev Central Station, but he said trains were still running on time.
For now, he tweetedpassengers were safe.
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he had no plans “for now” to continue the kind of massive airstrikes his military unleashed across the country last week.
The attacks were framed by the leader as revenge for an explosion that disrupted his signature bridge from Russia to the annexed Crimean peninsula.
The airborne aggression inspired renewed support from Kiev’s western allies. The United States will send another wave of military aid expected to include missiles, missiles and anti-tank weapons, the Pentagon announced Friday.
Last week, in a phone call with Zelenskyy, President Joe Biden pledged to provide Ukraine with the advanced air defense systems it so desperately wants to fend off attacks like Monday’s.
The White House has previously been reluctant to deploy the technology in Ukraine, fearing it would be seen by Russia as a step closer to direct involvement in the war.
This is a story in development. Come back for updates.
Beatrice Guzzardic, Anastasiia Parafeniuk and Daryna Mayer contributed.