Explotions Rock Kiev During UN Chief Visit

At least five cruise missiles were fired at Kiev on Thursday evening, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky, who accused Moscow of carrying out the attack to “humiliate” the United Nations as Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited the Ukrainian capital.

“This says a lot about Russia’s true attitude to global institutions, about the efforts of the Russian leadership to humiliate the UN, and everything that the organization represents,” Zelensky said in his Thursday night address.

Ukrainian emergency services first reported that an undisclosed “facility” had been hit in the city’s Shevchenko area, while an adjacent residential structure had lower levels damaged. Although there were no reports of deaths, Ukrainian officials subsequently stated that at least ten people were hurt inside the damaged 25-story high-rise, and media outlets released photographs of firemen working at the scene.

According to some sources, the unnamed site might have been the Artem missile development and production complex, with the Guardian reporting that the factory had been evacuated and had been standing idle since February.

Officials in Moscow have yet to comment on the matter, as the alleged strike took place around 8pm, after the evening press briefing by Russian military spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov. If confirmed, it wouldn’t be the first time Russia has launched strikes against military facilities in and around Kiev, including at an armored-vehicle manufacturing factory two weeks ago.

Earlier on Thursday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres met with Zelensky and toured Kiev and its suburbs, with Ukrainian officials showing him the sites of alleged “war crimes” committed by Russia. Upon hearing reports of a new “attack on Kiev,” the UN chief said it “shocked me, not because I’m here, but because Kiev is a sacred city for Ukrainians and Russians alike,” according to Reuters.

Source: rt.com