Russian rocket attack on Kyiv leaves 9 dead and more than 70 injured

A Russian rocket and drone attack on Kyiv overnight caused fires, destroyed buildings, and left residents trapped under rubble, resulting in nine deaths and over 70 injuries. Among the injured were six children. The worst damage occurred in the Sviatoshynskyi district, where a residential building was destroyed. Rescue teams, including climbing specialists and search dogs, were deployed to 13 locations, fought 40 fires, and searched for survivors. Images showed emergency responders using spotlights and ladders to reach damaged homes, while police searched apartments for survivors. Ringing phones could be heard under the rubble, and the search would continue until all were found, officials said. Falling metal debris damaged vehicles, and fires broke out in garages and administrative buildings. Kyiv was under six hours of air raid alert. In Kharkiv, two waves of rocket attacks injured two people, and a second attack hit rescue workers in Zhytomyr, injuring one staff member. The railway infrastructure was also targeted, injuring two employees, although train services continued. Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in South Africa to meet with President Cyril Ramaphosa and other senior politicians to strengthen relations and promote peace. He emphasized the need for a 'just peace' as the US increases pressure to make progress in ending the war.