On the morning of January 2, Russian forces struck Ukraine with strategic aviation. A series of explosions occurred in Kyiv and Kharkiv. As a result of the attack, people were killed and injured, and buildings were destroyed. The Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that at 02:51, 9 strategic bombers Tu-95MS took off from the Olenya airfield (Murmansk region). Explosions were heard in Kyiv and Kharkiv in the early hours of January 2.
At 18:30, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Igor Klymenko, announced that the number of casualties from the massive Russian attack had increased to 135, with 5 people killed.
The elimination of fires at two addresses in the Podil district of Kyiv is still ongoing. Demolition of emergency structures of a residential building is underway in Kharkiv.
Kyiv:
The massive rocket attack in the capital resulted in the destruction of residential buildings and damage to infrastructure. There are casualties. Due to the shelling on January 2, nearly 260,000 subscribers were left without electricity in Kyiv, and equipment at substations was turned off in the region.
Particularly severe consequences were observed in the Solomianskyi district. There were reported fires in multi-story residential buildings, trapping people on floors. Emergency services conducted rescues and evacuations. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, rescuers unlocked 17 people, saved 57 people, and evacuated 134 people.
According to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Igor Klymenko, as of 18:30, there were 2 confirmed deaths and 52 injuries.
According to the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, as of 12:45, there were 2 confirmed deaths, and the number of injured in the building in the Solomianskyi district increased to 49. 43 people were hospitalized.
The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine reported that among the hospitalized are a 2-year-old boy and his parents who were injured due to rocket fragments hitting their apartment in the Solomianskyi district.
Earlier, Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that a woman injured in the shelling in the Solomianskyi district died in an ambulance. Subsequently, the KMVA confirmed this information. The deceased was 86 years old.
The number of casualties may change as rescue operations continue.
According to operational information, 2 people have died in Kyiv region, with 16 others injured, including a child. They are receiving necessary medical assistance.
As a result of rocket fragments falling in the city of Vyshneve, 5 multi-storey residential buildings have been damaged. People have been evacuated to the nearest warming centers, where psychologists from the State Emergency Service will provide assistance. A mobile warming point is also being set up in the city.
In some settlements in Kyiv region, a number of private houses have been damaged, along with more than 60 cars. The falling debris also caused a fire in an unfinished church, damaging several businesses and warehouse premises. Additionally, one of the regional medical facilities has been damaged. Patients are being transferred to another hospital.
Kharkiv
Kharkiv:
At around 07:30, Russians launched missile strikes on the Shevchenkivskyi district of the city.
As a result of the attack, a 91-year-old woman died, and as of 18:30, there were 61 injured individuals (including 6 children). All fires have been extinguished. Rescue teams are conducting reconnaissance and checking residential premises.
The injured children range in age from 6 to 13. According to Oleg Synegubov, the head of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration, the children have explosive injuries, bruises, blast injuries, acute stress reactions. In Kharkiv medical facilities, there are 38 people, including 4 children in stable condition. Three people are in serious condition, and an elderly woman is in extremely critical condition – she is in a coma.
"At the moment, we know about 3 missile impacts. There is also information about the fourth one; its identification is underway. The destruction is quite significant. The impacts were on residential infrastructure: hundreds of apartments and dozens of residential buildings were affected," said Synegubov. Identification of the missile type is ongoing, but preliminary information suggests they were "Iskander-K" or "Kinzhali."
The Kharkiv City Council reported that as of 11:00, they identified 41 residential buildings damaged as a result of missile shelling on January 2.
Approximately 1,200 windows were shattered in apartments and common areas, and two roofs were damaged. Some buildings are facing issues with heating, gas, and electricity supply.
As a result of missile strikes from December 29 to January 2, 116 residential buildings in Kharkiv have been damaged. Inspection of buildings is ongoing, and the number of identified damages may increase.
