Moscow targets Kyiv with ballistic missiles as US secretary of state Antony Blinken makes surprise visit
Russian shelling hit a crowded market in the Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka, killing at least 16 people, as the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, was in Kyiv for an unannounced visit, his first for a year to the Ukrainian capital.
In the hours prior to Blinken’s arrival in the Ukrainian capital, Russia targeted Kyiv with ballistic missiles.
“It was clearly meant as a greeting to Blinken,” Mykhailo Podolyak, a key adviser to the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, told the Guardian. He said Russia had used Iskander missiles in the attack, which was thwarted by Ukrainian air defences.
Loud booms were audible in Kyiv shortly before 6am, as Blinken’s train was approaching the city.
“Russia is constantly showing that it will not abide by any rules,” Podolyak added.
Falling debris damaged buildings in Kyiv but there were no casualties, officials said. However, the attack in Kostiantynivka, close to the frontlines, killed at least 16 people and wounded 28 more. Video of the aftermath showed fires raging in destroyed buildings and soldiers carrying body bags away from the scene.
“A regular market. Shops. A pharmacy. People who did nothing wrong. Many wounded. Unfortunately the number of casualties and the injured may rise,” Zelenskiy wrote in a post on Telegram. He called the strike “a terrorist attack”.
In Kyiv, Blinken met his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, and was due to have discussions with Zelenskiy. The two-day visit will include an overnight stay in the Ukrainian capital.
Blinken is expected to announce a new package of US assistance of $175m-$200m during his visit, AP reported, with a larger package worth more than $1bn expected later this week, according to a senior state department official.
