Ukraine’s air defence forces intercepted all five Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles launched by Russian forces, preventing further casualties, the Ukrainian air force reported. However, loud explosions were heard across the city centre, with fires breaking out in multiple buildings, said Serhiy Popko, the head of Kyiv’s military administration.
Photos from the scene revealed severe damage to an office block in central Kyiv, where the roof was destroyed, and windows blown out. Firefighters were seen working to extinguish flames and attending to a car that was heavily damaged by the blast.
Kyiv’s city military administration reported that 12 people were wounded, including five who were hospitalised for treatment. Ukraine’s foreign ministry confirmed that the embassies of Albania, Argentina, Palestine, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Portugal, located in the same building, were damaged in the strike. No diplomatic staff were injured.
“This is another barbaric attack by Russia on civilian targets that shows no willingness for peace,” said Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
Russian missiles damaged the Portuguese Embassy in Kyiv.
No diplomatic representation should ever be targeted or even impacted.This is another barbaric attack by Russia on civilian targets that shows no willingness for peace.
I extend my full solidarity to diplomatic staff.
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) December 20, 2024
The Russian Defence Ministry, however, claimed that the missile strike had successfully targeted a command centre used by Ukraine’s SBU security service, which it alleged was involved in the design and construction of missiles, as well as a US-made Patriot anti-aircraft missile system. The ministry described the attack as retaliation for a Ukrainian missile strike on Russia’s Rostov region.
In addition to the damage to the embassies, the missile strike also hit St. Nicholas Cathedral, a “monument of national significance,” said Ukraine’s Minister for Cultural Affairs Mykola Tochytskyi on X.
5 days to Christmas✝️. Just a while ago the whole world was rejoicing the Notre Dame de Paris reopening. Today Russian strike on Kyiv damages ancient St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church. This once again shows putin’s true intent. Inhumane attacks for 1031 days on peaceful Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/dec8qwq2mH
— Oksana Markarova (@OMarkarova) December 20, 2024
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force also reported successfully shooting down 40 out of 65 drones launched by Russian forces overnight. An additional 20 drones failed to reach their targets.
Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russian forces targeted the southern city of Kherson, killing one person and injuring nine others, according to the regional governor. The attack also caused significant damage to energy facilities, leaving up to 60,000 residents without power.
Russia’s ongoing airstrikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, particularly targeting energy infrastructure, continue as Russian troops advance in the industrial Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. These attacks come ahead of expected peace efforts next year, as both sides prepare for potential negotiations.
In Kyiv, concerns have been raised over the possibility of reduced US support for Ukraine’s war effort should former President Donald Trump return to the White House. On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged Trump to align with Europe to halt Russian aggression.
With inputs from Reuters
