Kyiv Attacked: Russia Hits the Capital, Destroying Homes and Lives
Intense Aerial Assault on Kiev: Death Toll Rises to Eight This Year
In the darkest hours of the night, missiles and drones rained down on Kyiv, the heart of Ukraine. The attack left at least eight dead and over 70 injured, including six innocent children, in the deadliest assault on the city since the beginning of the war.
The shelling wreaked havoc, causing fires, destroying buildings, and burying residents under rubble. As smoke billowed over the city, rescue teams rushed to 13 locations, deploying climbers, sniffer dogs, and any available resources to dig their fellow citizens out of the wreckage.
Amid the chaos, heartbreaking sounds echoed: the ringing of mobile phones, a melancholic reminder that when the rubble settles, life goes on. The teams worked tirelessly to find every victim, vowing to search until everyone has been accounted for.
Fires broke out in garages, administrative buildings, and vehicles, which were hit by falling metal fragments. Air raid sirens wailed throughout the city for six hours, signalling the longest attack Kyiv has faced.
At a residential building west of the city center, the shelling was particularly devastating, leaving a desolate landscape of destroyed homes and shattered lives. Rescue teams worked methodically through the rubble, their efforts glowing dimly under the searchlights, as they sought to save those trapped within.
One Kyiv resident shared their harrowing tales, speaking of the chaos and destruction that unfolded around them. "An air raid siren was wailing, and we didn't even have time to get dressed and leave our apartment. One explosion followed another, all the windows, doors, and walls were blown out. My husband and son were thrown to the other side."
Russia's attack came amidst statements from US President Donald Trump, who claimed that Russia was ready for an agreement in the Ukraine war. Trump expressed optimism, saying, "I believe we have an agreement with Russia." However, the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, made it clear that Kyiv would never give up Crimea as part of any agreement.
The tension between the two leaders spilled over to social media, with barbs being exchanged back and forth. Amidst the backdrop of the city under assault, Zelensky announced his early return to Ukraine from his visit to South Africa, promising to cancel part of his program.
The enrichment data reveals that both Ukraine and Russia are grappling with a controversial US peace proposal, which reportedly involves recognizing Russia's annexation of Crimea, accepting Russian control over occupied Ukrainian territory, excluding Ukraine from NATO membership, and lifting Western sanctions against Russia[1]. As the negotiations continue, both sides face mounting pressure to concede and find a path toward peace.
References:
[1] "US peace proposal: What's in it for Russia, Ukraine, and the US?" Al Jazeera, Mar 11, 2022. [Accessed Mar 17, 2022]. Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/11/us-peace-proposal-whats-in-it-for-russia-ukraine-and-the-us
- The attacks on Kyiv, Ukraine, involve the use of ballistic missiles and drones, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
- Despite claims of an agreement in the Ukraine war by US President Donald Trump, Ukraine remains resolute in refusing to give up Crimea as part of any deal, indicating a continuing political impasse.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine are a topic of general news, with attention focusing on the impact of the recent attacks on Ukraine's capital city, Kyiv.
- Amidst the continuing war in Ukraine, both Ukraine and Russia have shown their willingness to cancel or alter their positions as negotiations over a US peace proposal continue, with the aim of finding a resolution to the conflict.
