Missile Assault Hits Kyiv
In the early hours of October 22, Russian forces launched an attack on Kyiv with three ballistic missiles armed with cluster munitions. One missile struck the historic Pechersk district, landing between the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and the Svyato-Vvedensky Monastery. These missiles detonate in mid-air shortly before impact, affecting an area with a 400-meter radius and causing extensive destruction. The strike damaged monastery buildings as well as residential homes, shops, cafes, and other civilian infrastructure.
Widespread Attacks Continue Across Ukraine
Throughout the day, Russian assaults targeted several other cities and regions, including:
- Kharkiv
- Dnipro
- Marganets
- Mykolaiv
- Kherson
- Communities in Kyiv region
- Zhytomyr region
- Donetsk region
- Kharkiv region
- Chernihiv region
- Rivne region
In Kharkiv, the city’s electric train system was struck. Since the shelling began on October 11, Russian forces have targeted critical energy infrastructure over 170 times.
President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked, 'These missiles explode in the air just before reaching their target, affecting everything within a 400-meter radius.'
He emphasized that this was "yet another highly symbolic strike" and noted there were no military installations nearby, underscoring Russia’s unchanged tactics that disregard civilian safety and show no real intention to de-escalate the conflict.
President Zelensky further stressed the urgent need to accelerate the delivery of defensive aid from international partners, pointing out that "Russia is clearly exploiting delays in receiving air defense systems." He tasked the Ministry of Defense, military leadership, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs with keeping partners informed about the evolving threats and the situation on the ground.
This missile attack highlights the ongoing volatility in Ukraine, where Russian forces persistently target civilian areas, causing significant harm to both infrastructure and the population. The incident underscores the critical importance of international support as Ukraine works to bolster its defenses amid escalating security challenges. The President’s response also reflects the pressing demand for expedited shipments of weaponry and air defense systems from Western allies.