'Depressing experience': German economy minister spends an hour in shelter during Kyiv strikes

German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche, who arrived in Ukraine on October 24, along with members of her delegation, was forced to spend about an hour in a bomb shelter at night due to the attack on Kyiv.

“German Economy Minister Reiche and her delegation were forced to take shelter in a bunker in Kyiv for about an hour. All members of the delegation are feeling well,” the ministry said.

The bomb shelter was set up in an underground hotel parking lot, which is currently not used for its intended purpose.

The air raid alert was received on the phone of a Bild reporter accompanying Reiche at 3:51 a.m. local time. The all-clear was given at around 5:00 a.m.

Commenting on the events of the previous night at a Saturday press conference, Reiche said it was a “depressing (one-time – ed.) experience” for her, and for Ukrainians, “unfortunately, a difficult everyday reality.”

“This night once again very clearly showed me that Russian attacks on the Ukrainian population are aimed at exhausting them,” Reiche added.

On Friday, October 24, German Minister of Energy Katherina Reiche arrived in Ukraine for a multi-day visit.

She held a number of meetings aimed at further strengthening Ukraine’s energy independence.

Reiche came under a ballistic strike on Kyiv on the night of October 25. That night, three districts of the capital — Dniprovskiy, Desnianskiy, and Darnytskiy — were hit.

Residential buildings and a kindergarten were damaged. There were also reports of a destroyed store and factory, as well as numerous videos showing smoke rising over the city.

As a result of the night attack, two people were killed and nine were injured. More details — in RBC-Ukraine’s report.