A Russian attack on the Ukrainian capital went on for hours after Ukrainian strikes batter Moscow’s oil sector
Russia pounded the Ukrainian capital in an 11-hour drone and missile attack overnight, killing at least 20 civilians in Kyiv and injuring dozens in what Moscow called retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil depots.
People sheltered in subway stations as loud explosions shook the capital after authorities sent out air raid warnings.
Emergency workers sifted through the rubble of collapsed apartment buildings in search of victims.
In a statement, Russia’s defense ministry said the bombardment was in response to Ukraine’s long-range strikes that have caused severe fuel shortages in Russia, putting political pressure on the Kremlin.
Ukraine has staged frequent and large-scale attacks on refineries, causing a fuel crisis that has frustrated Russians. Ukrainian officials say they want to force Putin to the negotiating table, but Moscow has upped its strikes.
Diplomatic efforts to end the war have not yielded results. Putin is banking on dwindling Western support and that Ukraine’s resistance will cave in.
