In the early hours of the 5th (local time), multiple ballistic missiles, believed to have been fired by Russia, struck the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, causing fires and other damage in residential areas, including a 20-story apartment building.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated on his Telegram account that both the city and the wider region of Kyiv are under attack by Russian ballistic missiles, resulting in fires at various residential and non-residential buildings, including a 20-story apartment complex, an office building, and warehouses.

He noted that rescue and firefighting operations are underway amid the ongoing Russian ballistic missile strikes, and urged residents to remain in shelters until the air raid alerts are lifted.

AFP also reported from the scene that explosions were heard in Kyiv after the Ukrainian military issued a ballistic missile air raid alert.

Recently, Ukraine has been actively utilizing long-distance drones to intensively strike industrial infrastructure, such as oil refineries and logistics hubs deep inside Russian territory behind the front lines, inflicting significant distress on Russia.

Russian vessels operating in the Black Sea have also become targets of Ukrainian long-distance drone attacks.

In response, Russia has intensified its own attacks on Ukraine with ballistic missiles and drones, significantly escalating the long-range strike exchanges between the two sides recently.

Notably, today's strike occurred while Ukraine has been appealing for support from the West, including the United States, citing a shortage of air defense interceptor missiles.

AFP reported through its own analysis that Russia more than doubled its missile usage in July amid the recent escalation of long-range strikes.

Civilian casualties have also sharply increased amid the competitive airstrikes between the two sides.

According to Ukrainian authorities, an attack by Russia on Kyiv and surrounding areas on the 1st killed 30 people, including four children, and injured around 90 others.

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine warned that the scale of civilian casualties has reached its highest level since the war began in 2022.

Russia also stated that an explosion following the crash of a Ukrainian drone on a beach in a Black Sea resort on the 3rd killed seven people, including three children.

(Photo: Yonhap News)