Ukraine Downs 72 of 99 Missiles Russia Fired At Civilian Targets In Cities

Ukrainian air defenses have proven resilient and effective as the country endures Russia's expected new year's terror assault on its civilian infrastructure. 

The Kremlin is hoping to force Ukraine to expend as much of its air defense ammunition as possible while the US Congress is in recess - and before it is shamed into resuming military support. Ukraine has been aware of this plan for some time and has taken appropriate steps. It is also being reinforced by individual European nations increasing their supply of new weaponry. JL

The Kyiv Post reports:

Russia on Tuesday, Jan. 2, again rained missiles on the Ukrainian capital and other cities, killing at least five people and injuring dozens, hitting high-rise buildings and sparking fires. Russia fired at least 99 missiles, but Ukraine downed 72 of them. 250,000 went without power in the Kyiv region after Russian strikes. Two people died and 49 people were injured in a multi-storey residential building in the Solomyanskiy district, where a fire occurred as a result of a rocket attack.

Russia on Tuesday, Jan. 2,  rained missiles on the Ukrainian capital and other cities, killing at least five people and injuring dozens, with downed rockets hitting high-rise buildings and sparking fires.

Kyiv Post reporters based in different city districts counted dozens of loud explosions as missiles approached the capital in the morning.

"Kyiv - stay in shelters. Many missiles heading in your direction," the Air Force said on Telegram.

Ukraine said Russia fired at least 99 missiles, but it had downed 72 of them. 

"The enemy used 99 air attack weapons -- missiles of various types," commander-in-chief Valery Zaluzhny said on social media, adding that the air force "destroyed 72 air targets." 

The city's military administration said fragments of downed rockets had fallen in several districts including on residential buildings.

As for now:

• In the Solomyanskiy district, two multi-storey residential buildings caught fire, one woman died, and at least 17 people were injured.
• In the Desnyansky district, fire from the missile debris occurred at a supermarket.
• Non-residential premises in the Darnytskyi district were damaged.
• In the Holosiivsky district, the rocket debris fell in an open area.
• In the Pechersk district, debris landed on the roof of a 9-storey residential building, another multi-storey building, and a private house.
• In the Obolonsky District, a fire broke out in a residential building, and debris fell on the territory of non-residential buildings and warehouses.
• In the Podolsky district, a fire occurred on the market premises; a gas pipe was damaged, and debris fell on non-residential buildings. There is a possibility of a residential building catching fire. The information is currently being verified.
• Shevchenkivskiy district experienced falling debris in an open area.

All emergency services are on call, and information about the victims is being updated. Due to the missile strike, there are issues with electricity and water supply in some city districts.

250,000 went without power in the Kyiv region after Russian strikes, a state operator reported.

 

Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that two people died and at least 49 people were injured in a multi-storey residential building in the Solomyanskiy district, where a fire occurred as a result of a rocket attack.

"There is a fire and heavy smoke in the building. All services are on-site," Klitschko wrote.