Ukraine Strikes 10 Energy Sites in Crimea After Deadly Russian Attack on Kyiv
Ukraine strikes followed Russia's largest attack on Kyiv since the invasion began more than four years ago. At least 30 people were killed between late Wednesday and early Thursday in the massive Russian strikes on Kyiv, with 56 people including four children still in hospital as of July 3 and 10 people missing.
Deadly Russian Barrage Hits Kyiv
At least 30 people were killed between late Wednesday and early Thursday in the massive Russian strikes on Kyiv, with 56 people including four children still in hospital as of July 3 and 10 people missing. [4] Search and rescue operations continued as of the morning of July 3. [4] The attack also damaged the homes of artists and media workers. [4] Doctors have stabilised the condition of a one-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl. [4] As of the morning of July 3, 10 people were still missing following the Russian attack on Kyiv and search and rescue operations were ongoing. [4] Fifty-six people, including four children, are currently still in hospital. [4]
Air Pollution Surge Forces Safety Measures
Rescue workers search rubble in Kyiv after deadly Russian missile attack. — Source: cnn
Authorities in Ukraine's capital Kyiv urged residents to limit time outdoors Friday, after fires caused by large-scale Russian strikes led to a spike in air pollution. [1] The strikes set multiple buildings ablaze, sending columns of dark smoke across several city neighbourhoods. [1] Due to fires caused by the enemy attack on the night of July 2, as well as a lack of wind, pollutants have not dispersed in the atmosphere, Kyiv's military administration said in a post on Telegram. [1] To improve the air quality situation, it is recommended to close windows, limit time outdoors, drink plenty of water, and if you have an air purifier, turn it up to maximum, it added. [1] Swiss air monitoring company IQAir rated air quality in Kyiv as Moderate overall as of 11am on Friday, although some of its monitoring stations rated air as very unhealthy. [1] AFP reporters in central Kyiv saw a smoky haze lingering over the city's skyline, while a pungent odour hung in the air. [1]
Damage to Kyiv Zoo and Animal Rescue
Kyiv Zoo was damaged during the Russian large-scale attack on the Ukrainian capital on the night of 1-2 July, with the entrance area, aquaterrarium and aviary among the facilities affected. [4] Staff who remain on duty around the clock rushed to protect the animals during the attack. [4] The animals are now safe after being urgently relocated to other enclosures. [4] The zoo's northern entrance sustained the most severe damage. [4] The façade and parts of the exterior structures were damaged and information screens were destroyed. [4] Glass doors and windows were shattered, and lift doors and lifting mechanisms were bent by the blast. [4] Shrapnel also damaged the entrance roller shutter, the fire alarm system, the CCTV system and service equipment. [4] Glass panels in the dome of the aquaterrarium's winter garden were blown out, sending shards of glass and window frames crashing onto turtles and crocodiles. [4] The animals were subsequently moved to other enclosures. [4] The damaged dome also affected the winter garden itself, with exotic plants damaged, vines torn down and flower pots smashed. [4] Windows were also blown out in the aviary and primate section. [4] Parts of the roof were damaged. [4] The hay storage building also sustained damage to its façade panels and windows. [4] Elsewhere in the zoo, the blast wave snapped tree branches and damaged lawns. [4] The zoo said it remains open and is continuing to deal with the aftermath of the attack, although access through the main entrance and the adjacent car park has been partially restricted. [4]
Ukraine Strikes Targets in Occupied Crimea
Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces struck 48 targets in the rear of Russian forces on the night of 2-3 July, including 10 energy facilities in temporarily occupied Crimea and an anti-aircraft missile system. [5] Robert Magyar Brovdi, Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, said the birds of the Unmanned Systems Forces are delivering voltage to the occupation forces. [5] Crimean switch: 10 more energy facilities were switched off overnight. [5] The birds of the Unmanned Systems Forces successfully engaged 48 targets in the enemy's operational depth during the night of 2-3 July. [5] Brovdi said the targets struck included a Tor-M2 anti-aircraft missile system in the Russian-occupied areas of Zaporizhzhia Oblast as well as a number of electrical substations and a gas compressor station in temporarily occupied Crimea. [5] He reported strikes on the substations of the Tarkhankut Wind Farm, Tarkhankut, Bilohirsk, Vypasne, Saky, Tavriia, Mykolaivka, Staryi Krym and Zakhidno-Krymska, as well as the Kliuchi gas compressor station. [5] Brovdi has said USF has increased strikes deep inside Russia by 1,150% since the beginning of the year. [5]
Continued Russian Attacks in Kharkiv Region
Three people have been injured in the Kyivskyi district in the city of Kharkiv as a result of a Russian drone strike on 3 July. [3] Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, said a Russian drone has struck the Kyivskyi district in Kharkiv. [3] All of them are receiving the necessary medical treatment. Emergency services are dealing with the aftermath of the strike at the scene. [3] Russian forces struck the city of Lozova in Kharkiv Oblast with an attack drone on the night of 2-3 July, injuring six people, including three children. [3] A 10-year-old girl sustained the most serious injuries and was taken to hospital with burns to around 40% of her body. [3]
Context of Escalating Strikes
Russia has struck Ukraine on an almost nightly basis since its invasion in February 2022. [1] Ukraine, which has launched retaliatory strikes on Russia, said it would definitely respond to Thursday's barrage. [1]
What to watch next: Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces struck 48 targets in the rear of Russian forces on the night of 2-3 July, including 10 energy facilities in temporarily occupied Crimea.
