Russia hits Ukraine cities with missiles after Zelensky warns of attack
· UPIJuly 29 (UPI) -- Russia launched ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv and other cities in Ukraine in the early hours Thursday, hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia was preparing a huge attack.
The Kyiv Independent reported that multiple explosions were heard in the city and that at least one person had been killed, according to the Ukrainian military. The mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, said fires broke out at various sites because of falling debris.
The Independent also reported that local media said attacks hit a residential area in Kryvyi Rih and many people, including children, were trapped in rubble. Explosions were also reported in the cities of Vinnytsia and Dnipro.
After an initial wave, the air force warned that more missiles were on their way, and Klitschko warned residents to stay in shelters. Social media images showed people seeking safety in Kyiv metro stations.
Zelensky said earlier on social media that Ukraine's Air Force warned him that Russia was readying an attack on areas throughout the country.
"The Russians prepared a massive attack several days ago, and there is a high probability that the strike will be carried out tonight," Zelensky wrote. "Please, in all regions of Ukraine, pay attention to air raid alerts today and take care of yourselves."
Moscow has adopted a new tactic against Ukraine in the form of ballistic missile attacks on residential neighborhoods and other sites. Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, said July 3 that large-scale missile attacks on Ukraine "must continue."
The attacks come a day after Zelensky met with U.S. President Donald Trump about Ukraine's air defenses and possible peace talks. Ukraine has run low on Patriot interceptor missiles to shoot down Russian ballistics, and Trump had promised Zelensky the rights to produce them.