Russia began airstrikes on Kyiv and surrounding areas last midnight. Russian and Ukrainian officials reported that these attacks damaged the Northern Bridge and the Meridien factory.
Damage from the Attacks
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the Northern Bridge was being used by the Ukrainian army to transport weapons and military equipment, while the Meridien factory is used for producing Flamingo cruise missiles. According to this ministry, the attacks have damaged several energy and industrial facilities in the Kyiv region and also affected a power station in the neighboring Zhytomyr region and a cargo ship in the Black Sea.
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Critical Situation in Kyiv
Vitaliy Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, confirmed that attacks on the Northern Bridge had taken place and added that the capital of Ukraine is in a "very difficult" situation regarding electricity, heating, and water supply. The temperature in the city has dropped to zero degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) at night.
Kyiv region governor, Tymur Tkachенко, also announced that energy facilities in three areas of the province have been attacked. Ukrainian officials reported that one person was killed and eight others were injured in this attack.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on social media that Russia used 172 drones and 36 ballistic missiles in this attack. He added that Russia is trying to "blackout Kyiv and the entire country" and once again called for increased support from the United States.
Russian airstrikes have increased in recent months, targeting energy infrastructure and major cities. These attacks occurred just days before the fourth round of trilateral negotiations between Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Previous negotiations mediated by the United States failed to reach an agreement, and territorial and security issues remain key points of contention.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden stated on Friday that the war may soon come to an end and he envisions a "beautiful and big" agreement with Moscow that will include "all of Europe."
On Friday, a local ceasefire was established for six days in the occupied city of Oleshky in the Kherson region to evacuate about 800 people. This ceasefire was facilitated by Melania Trump, the First Lady of the United States.
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