Russia massive missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and Kharkiv: casualties and destruction reported

On the morning of January 2, Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine employing both drones and missiles. The assault primarily targeted Kyiv and Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city, resulting in substantial damage and casualties in both locations. According to preliminary data, the enemy used 99 missiles of various types. The Air Force, in cooperation with the Ukrainian Defence Forces, destroyed 72 of the 99 missiles and all 35 Shahed-136/131 strike UAVs.

Kyiv

Russian forces executed a second consecutive powerful attack on Kyiv, utilizing an extensive arsenal of air weapons. The air alert in the capital persisted for nearly six hours. The press service of the Kyiv City State Administration reported that the missile attack caused hits and falling debris in nine districts of Kyiv, resulting in casualties.

According to Serhiy Popko, Chief of the Ukrainian Defence Forces, the enemy initiated the assault with a dozen Shahed-type barrage munitions, followed by over a dozen Tu-95MS strategic bombers launching X-101/X555X-55 cruise missiles. Simultaneously, more than ten Mig-31K aircraft released X-47M2 Kinzhal air-to-air missiles. The air defense forces successfully intercepted all Shahed UAVs and over 60 X-101/X555X-55 missiles, along with a dozen X-47M2 Kinzhal missiles.

The extensive attack led to the destruction of residential buildings, damage to infrastructure, and numerous casualties. Particularly devastating was the impact on Solomyansky district, where multistory residential buildings caught fire, trapping people on various floors. Rescue efforts were underway, with preliminary reports of more than 25 identified victims.

Consequences in other districts included fires, damage to non-residential premises, and destruction of infrastructure:

• A supermarket in Desnianskyi district caught fire;
• Darnytskyi district: non-residential premises were damaged;
• Holosiivskyi district: the debris fell in an open area;
• Pecherskyi district: on the roof of a 9-storey residential building; another multi-storey building and a private house;
• Obolonskyi district; a residential building caught fire, the remains fell on the territory of non-residential buildings and warehouses;
• Sviatoshynskyi district: – a fall on non-residential buildings;
• Podil district: a fire broke out on the territory of a market; a gas pipe and water supply lines were damaged, and at least six cars caught fire. The remains also fell on non-residential buildings; a residential building caught fire. The information is being verified.
• Shevchenkivskyi district: debris fell on an open area.

Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed one fatality, an elderly woman from Solomianskyi district, with 27 people hospitalized.

Kyiv region

The Kyiv region faced nighttime drone attacks and continued morning missile attacks, causing destruction, casualties, and injuries. A number of private houses and more than 60 cars were damaged in the communities. The falling debris caused a fire in an unfinished church, and damaged several businesses and warehouses. One of the regional medical institutions was damaged.

According to the latest information, two people were killed and 11 others were injured, including 1 child. They are being provided with the necessary medical care.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a fire in a residential building in Fastiv district of Kyiv region «has been extinguished, two people died». In Vyshneve, 5 apartment buildings and more than 40 cars were damaged. Seven people were injured.

Bucha and Vyshhorod districts in the Kyiv region experienced partial power outages due to the Russian missile attack, as reported by the DTEK press service

Kharkiv

More than 40 people were injured and one person was killed as a result of a massive attack by Russian occupiers in Kharkiv.

This was reported by the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, Oleh Syniehubov.

«Updated reports indicate 45 current victims in Kharkiv. Among them, 38 are in medical institutions, including 4 children in stable condition and 3 individuals in serious condition. One elderly woman is in an extremely critical state, currently in a coma. All patients are receiving necessary assistance», — said Syniehubov.

There are 5 children among the victims: 3 boys aged 9 and girls aged 6 and 13. The children suffered from explosive injuries, bruises, acubarotrauma, and acute stress reactions.

As a result of the attack by Russian terrorists in Kharkiv, apartment blocks, commercial buildings and other civilian infrastructure were damaged, and cars caught fire.

Syniehubov also reported on the situation in the region.

«About 20 settlements of Kharkiv region were subjected to enemy artillery and mortar attacks, in particular: Kozacha Lopan in Kharkiv district; Vovchansk, Budarky in Chuguev district; Sinkivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove in Kupyansk district.

The enemy launched air strikes near Mala Vovcha and Okhrimivka in Chuhuiv district; Petropavlivka, Kucherivka in Kupyansk district; Cherneshchyna in Izium district», — he wrote on Telegram.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled seven enemy attacks near Synkivka and Petropavlivka in Kupyansk district.

As a result of the shelling, 20,612 customers in 67 settlements of Dergachiv, Zolochiv, Lipetsk, Vovchansk, Velykoburlutsk, Kupiansk, Borivsk, and Izium communities were temporarily cut off from electricity.