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Update: 5 killed, 130 injured in Russia's large-scale attack against Ukraine

by Daria Shulzhenko and The Kyiv Independent news desk January 2, 2024 5:05 PM 2 min read
Ukrainian firefighters attempt to extinguish a fire after a missile strike in Kyiv on Jan. 2, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Genya Savilov/AFP via Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

Editor's Note: This is a developing story.

Russia's Jan. 2 large-scale attack against Ukraine killed five and injured 130 people as of 8 p.m. local time,  the State Emergency Service reported.

Among the injured are children, according to the previous reports.

"My condolences to everyone who lost their loved ones. May all the victims of Russian terror rest in peace," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening video address.

"And our utmost gratitude – the gratitude of Ukraine – goes out to everyone who is fighting and working to drive the enemy out of our land and to force Russia to end this war."

Zelensky urged Ukrainians to pay attention to air raid alerts, "especially these days."

Russia launched at least 99 missiles of various types against Ukraine on the morning of Jan. 2, targeting Kyiv, the surrounding region, and Kharkiv. The missile attack was preceded by a wave of Shahed "kamikaze" drones.

Ukrainian critical infrastructure and industrial, civilian, and military facilities came under attack.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported that a total of 72 Russian missiles were shot down over Ukraine, including 59 Kh-101/555/55 cruise missiles, three Kalibr cruise missiles, and all of the 10 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles.

Earlier in the day, the Air Force also reported that all of the 35 Shahed drones had been downed.

UPDATED: Russia launches mass missile strikes against Kyiv, Kharkiv
Russia launched a large-scale missile attack against Ukraine in the early hours of Jan. 2, targeting Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast, and Kharkiv, local officials reported.
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