Russian Strikes Hit Kyiv Infrastructure, Black Sea Vessels

Russian attacks across Ukraine struck communications and transport infrastructure in Kyiv, as well as two foreign-flagged vessels in the Black Sea, Ukrainian officials said. Bloomberg reported that four people were killed, while Al Jazeera reported one death during a barrage involving more than 100 drones.

The targets included the head office of Ukraine’s largest mobile provider and two Kyiv data centres, according to Reuters, Bloomberg and Ukrainska Pravda. One data centre at the Parkovy Congress and Exhibition Center said it suffered critical damage, halted operations and could not restore services at the site.

Two drones also hit near the supports of Kyiv’s Southern Bridge while vehicles and a metro train were crossing. No passengers or crew were injured, and an initial inspection found no critical structural damage. Traffic was temporarily halted before resuming later, according to Kyiv authorities.

Other bridge closures caused severe congestion across the capital. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said aerial attacks forced the partial closure of three crossings over the Dnipro River.

A drone also struck a Kyiv school, starting a fire and damaging part of the building. Children and teachers were in a shelter and were not injured. President Volodymyr Zelensky called for tighter sanctions to restrict Russia’s access to foreign-made components used in drones and missiles.