Russian attack kills eight at station
In one of the fiercest nights for Brovary, Russian missiles killed at least 17 people, with the fate of passengers at Kvitneve station being particularly tragic.
In one of the fiercest nights for Brovary, Russian missiles killed at least 17 people, with the fate of passengers at Kvitneve station being particularly tragic.
At least 17 people were killed in last night's Russian missile attack on Kyiv and the surrounding region, during which 28 missiles were launched. Among the victims were eight civilians who were waiting for a delayed suburban train at Kvitneve railway station, on the outskirts of Brovary.
The attacks on the Brovary area, a town east of Kyiv, lasted nearly 12 hours. According to data reported by Index.hr, after drones had been harassing the area since the early evening, Russia launched 24 ballistic and 4 hypersonic missiles after midnight. Many of them were aimed at civilian warehouses.
"That was the most terrifying night of my life," said 48-year-old Anastasia, a resident of Brovary, for the Kyiv Independent. A drone hit her house, destroying the top two floors, but she, her mother, and her deaf and blind grandmother were not injured. Describing the force of the explosions, Anastasia added: "You know when they say that a missile meant for you will never be heard? That's exactly how it was." The shockwave was so powerful that, as she put it, "even my socks flew off."
One of the targets was the distribution warehouse of the major Ukrainian online retailer Rozetka. Director Iryna Chechotkina posted on Facebook that the warehouse was hit by three ballistic missiles and completely destroyed. "Today I was supposed to publish a post about Rozetka's 21st birthday and thank our customers, partners, and team for the long journey we've taken together. Instead, last night I watched my life's work burn after being struck by three ballistic missiles," Chechotkina wrote.
The greatest loss of life occurred at Kvitneve railway station. A missile struck the tree-lined area behind the station, and the explosion engulfed the platform where eight people were waiting for a train. "I don't know exactly when the strike on the railway station happened. People use that street every morning to go to work and return in the evening. The last suburban train they were waiting for was delayed," recounted 44-year-old kindergarten teacher Oksana Zhyrniak. At the time of the attack, she was at home with her children and claims there was no air raid alert. "There was no alert. They didn't sound it. Then there were three explosions, one after another. From the bedroom, we saw a flash. I ran to my child and lay over him," she said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that Russia deliberately targeted civilian objects and again appealed to Western allies for more advanced air defense systems. "Interceptors for ballistic missiles could have saved the lives of those who died today," Zelensky said. Oksana Zhyrniak made an emotional appeal to the international community: "It's hard for us, especially for those with children. Just don't forget us. Help us because we can't endure on our own."
