Russian Attack Leaves Half of Kyiv Powerless; 2 Dead, 38 Injured
On November 29, 2023, Moscow launched a significant missile and drone assault on Kyiv, resulting in two fatalities and 38 injuries, including one child, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. The attack began shortly after 1 a.m. local time with alarms signaling a coordinated threat of missiles and drones aiming at the capital. Explosions reverberated throughout Kyiv as residents faced a prolonged threat from the air.
Details of the Attack
The initial wave of assaults involved dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones. By 7 a.m., reports indicated a second surge of missiles, including Kinzhal hypersonic types. The Ukrainian Air Force disclosed that Russia deployed a total of 596 Shahed-type drones and 36 missiles during the night. Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted 558 drones and 19 missiles, mitigating the scale of destruction.
Civilian Casualties and Damage
- Total casualties: 2 dead, 38 injured (including 1 child).
- Significant damage reported across six districts: Sviatoshynskyi, Dniprovskyi, Darnytskyi, Shevchenkivskyi, and Solomyanskyi.
- Residential buildings and high-rises sustained extensive damage.
Among the injured, at least 17 were hospitalized. A male victim was recovered from debris in Sviatoshynskyi, according to local authorities. Eyewitness accounts revealed widespread damage; one resident, Victor Mazepa, found his apartment window shattered and car charred by a nearby drone strike.
Power Outages and Response Efforts
Following the assaults, significant power outages affected western Kyiv. Vitaliy Zaichenko, CEO of Ukrenergo, noted that transmission lines were compromised, leaving almost half of the city without electricity. Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the disruptions and indicated that emergency teams were racing against time to restore services.
In a positive turn, DTEK, Ukraine’s major private energy firm, restored electricity for over 360,000 households by later in the day. Repair work is ongoing across the city to return full power and water pressures.
Previous and Ongoing Attacks
This incident followed another devastating strike just days earlier, where seven individuals lost their lives, and 20 were injured. Residents often heed warnings, seeking shelter ahead of attacks. Many chose to stay in underground stations, preparing for the possibility of severe bombings.
Local sentiments reflect the ongoing toll of the conflict, with citizens continuously adapting to the looming threat of new attacks. This latest assault serves as a reminder of the volatile security situation across Ukraine.
Both local and international observers are increasingly concerned about the impact of these repeated strikes on civilian life and infrastructure. Russian forces appear relentless, continuing their pattern of targeting urban areas and civilian facilities.
