Police release video of first moments after Russia's strikes on Kyiv
Photo: aftermath of the Russian attack in Kyiv (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
During the night of June 17, Kyiv endured another combined attack by Russian forces. During the strikes, patrol police officers were assisting civilians, according to the Head of the Patrol Police Department, Oleksii Biloshytskyi.
"Risking their own lives, patrol officers and rescuers spent over nine hours assisting civilians: evacuating people to safe locations, transporting the wounded to ambulances, and ensuring the passage of emergency vehicles," Biloshytskyi said.
He released footage from patrol officers’ body cameras, showing them in action as explosions echoed across the capital and the distinctive sound of Russian drones could be heard. During the attack, officers urged pedestrians to take cover immediately.
He also reminded that Russia continues its cynical attacks on peaceful Ukrainian cities. In total, more than 440 drones and 32 missiles were launched across the country. At least 175 attack drones, over 14 cruise missiles, and at least two ballistic missiles were directed at Kyiv.
There are fatalities and injuries in the capital, and residential buildings, non-residential structures, and vehicles have been damaged.
Strike on June 17
During the night, Russian invaders launched 472 attack drones and dozens of missiles across Ukraine. The main target of the strike was the capital.
In Kyiv’s Solomianskyi district, a missile strike caused the complete collapse of an entrance section of a nine-story residential building. A fire also broke out in another five-story building.
In the Darnytskyi district, a kindergarten and several non-residential buildings were damaged. In the Podilskyi district, debris fell in an open area.
Fires also broke out on the upper floors of a residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district, in a non-residential building in Solomianskyi, in warehouse facilities in the Sviatoshynskyi district, and in several locations in Darnytskyi.
According to the latest reports, rescuers have recovered the bodies of five more victims from under the rubble of the high-rise building in Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to Russia’s combined attack.
More details about the consequences of the Russian strike on Kyiv's districts can be found in the RBC-Ukraine report.
