Ukraine Capital Kyiv Endures Second Day Of Explosions During Russian Invasion

KYIV, Ukraine – Residents in Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv endured a second day of explosions Friday as Russia’s military continued a widely condemned invasion that has already been blamed for the deaths of more than 100 troops and civilians.

BuzzFeed News journalists on the ground reported hearing multiple explosions in the predawn hours. As the morning wore on, multiple videos and images of fire in the sky were posted on social media, although the exact causes could not immediately be verified.

Ukrainian Interior Ministry Adviser Anton Gerashchenko shared video of an explosion, but there conflicting reports over what it was. Officials later said a Ukrainian air defense system preventing two air strikes shortly after 4 .am. On Facebook, Ukraine’s Office of General Staff also said Hostomel Airport remained under the control of Kyiv forces, but that heavy fighting with Russian forces continued northwest of the capital. The bridge over Teteriv River was also destroyed to stop the Russian advance.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said three people were injuredat least one of them critically, after debris struck a residential building, causing a fire.

Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba decried the attack on the country’s capital, which he said had not seen anything like it since Nazi Germany attacked in 1941 during World War II.

“Ukraine defeated that evil and will defeat this one,” Kuleba said tweeted.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the strike despite tougher sanctions imposed by the international community and widespread condemnation, including from the NATO North Atlantic Council, United Nations, and G7 leaders.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday compared to Russia’s actions to that of the Soviet Union, describing the invasion as the “sound of the new Iron Curtain that’s falling and closing Russia from the civilized world.”

He also asked world leaders for “powerful assistance” in fighting Russia on multiple fronts, saying that if they do not, “tomorrow the war will knock on your door.”

To that end, President Joe Biden said he was sending additional troops to Germany to strengthen NATO members against Russian aggression, although he made it clear that US forces would not be on the frontlines of the conflict. Instead, he announced new sanctions that included blocking the assets of four large Russian banks, export controls, and sanctioning more oligarchs and their families.

“This is a dangerous moment for all of Europe and freedom around the world,” he said.

In a six-minute video message posted just after midnight Friday, Zelensky thanked foreign leaders who have offered their support, but said Ukraine had been left alone to defend itself.

“Who is ready to fight with us? Honestly – I do not see such, ”he said, speaking from Kyiv.