Russia pounds Ukraine’s Kyiv after deadly strike on Academy of Sciences

What the report says

Russian forces carried out another wave of strikes on Kyiv on Tuesday, according to Al Jazeera’s report, following an earlier drone attack that hit the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in the city’s historic centre. The article said at least two people were killed in that strike, which damaged the building and caused a fire. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said missile debris fell in one courtyard and another building caught fire elsewhere in the capital.

The academy strike drew particular attention because the institution is located near major landmarks and government sites, including the German Embassy, a cathedral and the national opera. Video shared online showed a drone slamming into the building and flames spreading across part of it, while people were seen leaning out of windows. The academy condemned the attack as an act of Russian terror, and Ukraine’s foreign minister accused Moscow of cynicism for striking a scientific institution during working hours.

Ukrainian officials said the wider assault also hit a medical facility in Kyiv and other civilian and infrastructure sites in several regions. Al Jazeera reported deadly attacks in Dnipro, Synelnykove and Zaporizhzhia as well. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is still struggling against faster, jet-powered Russian drones, which are becoming more common in recent strikes.

The reported strikes matter because they show the war expanding against urban and civilian targets, while both sides continue long-range attacks despite denying deliberate targeting of civilians.