Fri Dec 20 09:55:43 UTC 2024: ## Russian Missile Strike Kills One in Kyiv, Ukraine
**Kyiv, Ukraine (December 20, 2024)** – A Russian ballistic missile attack on Kyiv early Friday morning killed at least one person and injured nine others, according to Ukrainian officials. The attack caused damage to infrastructure across three districts, knocking out heating to hundreds of residential buildings, medical facilities, and schools.
The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed the strike was retaliation for a Ukrainian attack earlier in the day on the Rostov border region using American-made ATACMS and British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles. This marks an escalation of the conflict, with Russia citing the use of Western-supplied weapons as justification for its actions.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated that its strike targeted the command center of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, facilities producing Neptune missile systems, and US-made Patriot air defense systems. While the ministry claimed the objectives were successfully achieved, these claims remain unverified.
The incident follows the first use of longer-range American missiles by Ukraine against Russian territory in November. The escalating use of Western weaponry and the ongoing missile strikes highlight the deepening conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
First Piper 