Three killed in Russian airstrikes in Kyiv, Ukrainian officials say
18 January 2025, 06:40 | Updated: 18 January 2025, 11:41
At least three people were killed early on Saturday morning in Russian strikes against central Kyiv, Ukrainian officials have said.
A Sky News team in the city heard what sounded like two explosions just before 6am, Ukraine time - ahead of the whirr of air raid sirens. The sound of further thuds then followed.
Pictures posted on social media by the emergency services showed damaged cars and shattered glass in the street.
A main water supply was impacted, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
It also said an administrative building, a business centre, and a shop were partially destroyed, while three vehicles were set alight and 10 were damaged.
The Ukrainian military said Russia fired four ballistic missiles and launched 39 drones towards Ukraine, whose forces shot down two of the missiles and 24 drones.
Local media reported that the ballistic missiles hit Kyiv.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said three people were confirmed dead in the strike and three more injured.
The number of fatalities had initially been put at four by authorities.
President Zelenskyy said: "In the early hours of the morning, the enemy launched a ballistic strike on the centre of Kyiv.
"The area was affected by falling debris. Three people are confirmed dead, and three others were wounded. My condolences to their families and loved ones.
"Residential buildings, a metro station, shops, cafes, and other civilian infrastructure have been damaged. All services are continuing their efforts to mitigate the aftermath of the shelling."
Sky News visited the scene of the strike.
A huge crater could be seen in the road outside the shattered front of a building said to hold offices and apartments.
The force of the blast also shattered a branch of McDonald's on the other side of the street and damaged the entrance to a metro station.
The husk of a minibus destroyed in the blast could be seen.
Windows of apartment blocks and shop fronts were shattered, with emergency workers clearing away rubble.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said air defences were in operation around the city.
Klitschko said windows had been shattered in Shevchenkivskyi district, including at a metro station which had been closed.
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He said smoke was coming out of an apartment building and repair crews had been dispatched to repair a damaged water main.
Authorities had warned of the danger of attack drones and missiles before the attack.
(c) Sky News 2025: Three killed in Russian airstrikes in Kyiv, Ukrainian officials say
