According to Agence France-Presse journalists in the city, at least three loud explosions were heard in central Kyiv early on Monday, a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed Ukraine for an explosion on a vital Crimea bridge.
Svitlana Vodolaga, a spokesperson for Kyiv’s Emergency Service, told the Associated Press that the blasts caused deaths and injuries. She stated that rescuers were operating in various locations.
The explosions occurred about 8:15 a.m. local time. More than an hour ago, air raid sirens were heard in the capital of Ukraine.
On October 10, 2022, rescue workers inspect the scene of a Russian attack on Kiev, Ukraine. Following months of relative peace in the Ukrainian capital, several explosions shook the city early in the morning. Adam Schreck / AP
Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko announced on social media that there were multiple explosions in the Shevchenkivskyi district — the heart of the city.
Social media videos depicted black smoke rising above many city neighborhoods.
A reporter for AFP observed multiple ambulances that appeared to be in route to the bomb site.
The explosions occurred a day after Putin blamed Ukrainian secret services for a tragic explosion on the bridge connecting Russia’s annexation of Crimea to Russia.
The last attacks on Kiev occurred on June 26.