Kyiv ablaze, drone attack sparks fires in residential areas, supermarket, and kindergarten
Attack aftermath under investigation (Photo: Getty Images)
On the night of July 21, Russian forces launched a massive drone attack on Kyiv. As a result, fires have been reported in several districts of the capital.
RBC-Ukraine has gathered all the information available so far.
The attack on Kyiv began around 11:00 p.m. Kyiv time on July 20. Enemy drones were already detected near Kyiv at that time, and air defense activity warnings were issued.
However, the loud explosions in the city were first heard at 1:33 a.m. Since then, the enemy has been continuously attacking Ukraine with drones for several hours.
So far, the consequences of the enemy attack have been recorded in at least four districts of the capital - Darnytskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, Dniprovskyi, and Solomianskyi.
More detailed information about the damage in these areas is provided below.
Darnytskyi district
As of 4:01 a.m., Kyiv City Military Administration Head Timur Tkachenko reported a fire on the roof of a multi-story residential building and a non-residential building in the Darnytskyi district.
Additionally, a supermarket is also on fire.
Shevchenkivskyi district
A residential building caught fire in this district, and balconies are burning at another address.
“In the Shevchenkivskyi district, where a fire broke out on the second and third floors of a residential building, one person was injured. They received medical assistance on the spot,” said Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
At 07:50 a.m., Kyiv State Emergency Service (DSNS) spokesperson Pavlo Petrov reported that a fire broke out in the Shevchenkivskyi district due to a strike on a building. The total area of the fire reached 150 square meters. Rescuers have now contained the blaze. One person was injured, and another was rescued.
Dniprovskyi district
According to Tkachenko, a fire broke out in the market stalls, and debris fell onto the territory of a kindergarten.
"There are two more fires in the Darnytskyi district. We're currently verifying information about any casualties," said Tkachenko.
At 07:50 a.m., the Kyiv State Emergency Service (DSNS) spokesperson reported that commercial structures had caught fire in the Dniprovskyi district. The blaze has been contained.
Solomianskyi district
“There is a fire in a non-residential building in the Solomianskyi district,” Tkachenko wrote.
Other damage
There were reports online of a fire at the Lukianivska metro station. Several Telegram channels shared videos showing heavy smoke.
“As a result of the attack, the entrance to the metro station was damaged. Preliminary reports indicate no casualties,” Tkachenko clarified at 4:22 a.m.
Updated at 05:10
Kyiv City Administration (KMDA) reported that Lukianivska metro station is currently closed to passengers but remains open as a shelter.
“As a result of the strike, the above-ground part of the station sustained partial damage. There is no fire, and the underground facilities remain intact. The station will temporarily not operate for entry or exit,” the statement said.
They added that an update will be provided once the station reopens.
Casualties
Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko posted on social media that medical teams were called to the Darnytskyi, Dniprovskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, and Solomianskyi districts.
However, confirmed information about actual casualties has not yet been received.
Update at 4:35 a.m.
“In the Dniprovskyi district, where a fire broke out on the roof of a residential building, there are no casualties. In Darnytskyi, where the fire occurred in a kindergarten building, no injuries have been reported either,” Klitschko clarified.
Updated at 04:40 a.m.
Tkachenko reported that there is information about one person killed as a result of the Russian attack.
Updated at 04:56 a.m.
According to Tymur Tkachenko, a man was hospitalized in the Dniprovskyi district with multiple injuries.
Updated at 05:32 a.m.
“The number of injured has risen to two,” Tkachenko wrote.
The information comes from the official Telegram channels of Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko and head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, Tymur Tkachenko.
Russian attack on Ukraine
Russia launched a combined overnight attack on Ukraine, using drones and various types of missiles.
The enemy deployed Tu-95MS strategic bombers and launched MiG-31K jets three times, which are carriers of Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.
Read more about what weapons were used and when the attacks occurred in RBC-Ukraine’s full report.
