Russia bombs one of Ukraine's largest stadiums ahead of top-flight football
Russian forces have bombed a major stadium in Ukraine ahead of an important football match. This attack raises serious concerns about the safety of sporting events in the war-torn region.
At least three people, including a child, have been killed in another Russian missile attack near Kyiv, according to Ukrainian officials.
The latest strikes came hours after a Russian attack damaged Chornomorets Stadium, one of Ukraine's largest sports venues, ahead of a scheduled top-flight football match.
The overnight missile barrage targeted areas around the Ukrainian capital, with a number of explosions reported and air raid alerts issued. In the village of Pukhivka, two adults and a child were killed, while at least three other people were injured, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the regional military administration.
Several houses and vehicles were damaged by falling debris, while a non-residential building caught fire. Emergency crews were deployed to deal with fires and assess the damage. Ukraine's State Emergency Service released images showing damaged buildings and garages and said the number of casualties was still being confirmed.
Russian officials said the strikes targeted a facility involved in the production of Ukrainian military equipment. The attack comes after another major Russian missile barrage on Kyiv earlier in the week, in which Ukrainian officials said at least 21 people were killed and dozens of homes were damaged.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly called on allies to provide additional air-defence systems, arguing that stronger missile-interception capabilities could help prevent further civilian deaths. Ukraine has also continued carrying out long-range strikes against targets inside Russia, including oil facilities, as attacks between the two sides intensify amid stalled efforts to reach a peace agreement.
- Linda Ikeji's Blog Original article
