Kyiv Under Missile Attack Shortly After US National Security Adviser's Visit

Ukraine's capital was hit by a heavy missile attack early on Thursday, the first in six weeks, following a visit by US national security adviser Jake Sullivan to the city.

During the attack, over 25,000 people sought refuge in the city's metro stations. Videos and images circulating on social media depicted crowded scenes underground, reminiscent of the early days of the war.

Russian officials reported that a total of two ballistic missiles and 29 cruise missiles were launched towards the Kyiv region. Fortunately, all of these missiles were successfully intercepted and shot down. Further tests will be conducted to determine the exact types of missiles used. However, the air force has indicated that the ballistic missiles may have originated from North Korea.

Despite the missile attacks, authorities have confirmed that only about a dozen people sustained injuries from falling debris. Thankfully, there have been no reports of any fatalities resulting from the incident.

Valentyna Ivanivna, an 80-year-old resident of Kyiv's central Podil district, was startled awake at 5 a.m. by a powerful explosion that broke her windows.

"I'm not sure if it was a missile, but now my windows are gone. Thankfully, I'm okay, but my kitchen and living room are without windows. I was lucky to be sleeping in the bedroom, shielded by another wall from the flying debris," she shared.

Anastasia Shulha gave CNN a tour of her flower shop, where the main window was blown out and the front door was damaged. "This is actually the second time my shop has been attacked. The last time was in late spring last year," she shared.

She pointed to the damaged shop door, expressing her concern about the security risk with everything wide open. She mentioned the need to stay until the window and door are replaced.

Ruslan Kravchenko, the head of the Kyiv region military administration, reassured that there were no hits to critical infrastructure or residential buildings. Despite this, pictures indicate at least one close call.

Videos and images show a large crater just meters away from high-rise residential buildings. One image shows nearby cars covered in soil thrown up by the impact.

Rescuers work at a site of a building damaged during a Russian missile strike.

Rescuers work at a site of a building damaged during a Russian missile strike.

Alina Smutko/Reuters

More than 25,000 people, including 3,000 children, sought shelter in the city's metro stations until around 6 a.m. when the air raid warning was lifted, according to the Kyiv city office.

Ukraine's President Volodymr Zelensky emphasized that the recent attack serves as a stark reminder of why he is urging for increased military support from allies.

Russian terrorists do not possess missiles that can penetrate the defense systems of PATRIOTs and other top-of-the-line systems around the world. The need for this protection is crucial in Ukraine. It is possible to acquire this defense if our partners show the necessary political determination, as mentioned on social media.

According to a statement from the air force, the ballistic missiles used were identified as either the KN-23 type, an Iskander-M class missile from North Korea, or the Kh-47M2 type, commonly known as the Kinzhal, which is of Russian origin. In a recent declaration, a Ukrainian official stated that Russia has utilized North Korean missiles on numerous occasions to attack Ukraine.

North Korea supporting Russia - US

U.S. and South Korean officials have accused North Korea of supplying Russia with missiles and other military equipment in recent months.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby revealed at a White House briefing that Russia had launched North Korean-made missiles towards Ukraine on December 30 and January 2.

Kirby, along with analysts interviewed by CNN, expressed their worries about the impact of North Korean weapons being used in the conflict in Ukraine. They pointed out that this development will have repercussions as far as 7,500 kilometers (4,600 miles) away in the Korean Peninsula. Kirby described this as a troubling escalation in North Korea's support for Russia.

South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik mentioned on February 26 that North Korean munitions factories are working at full capacity to produce weapons and shells for Russia. In exchange, Russia is supplying North Korea with food and other essentials.

On Wednesday, Sullivan expressed to reporters in Kyiv his ongoing confidence that the US House of Representatives would ultimately approve more military aid for Ukraine, despite facing blockages in Congress for several months.

Last month, the US Senate passed a bill for $60 billion in military aid. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson did not bring it to a vote. Currently, discussions on Capitol Hill are focused on getting some of the aid approved as a loan, which could gain support from House Republicans.

During a visit to Ukraine, top White House official Sullivan expressed confidence in bipartisan support for an assistance package. He stated that the aid needs to be approved soon and cannot afford further delays. While he did not give a specific timeline, he remains optimistic about the approval process.

Editor's P/S:

The relentless