Russian Kursk airstrike kills six after deadly missile attack on Kiev

Russia says an attack in Ukraine’s Kursk region has killed six people, including a child.

Earlier, Ukrainian officials said that Moscow launched a new missile attack on Kiev, destroying several embassy buildings.

In Russia, the acting governor of the Kursk region said that in addition to the victims, several people were taken to hospital after the attack in the town of Rersk.

Alexander Khinshtein said a cultural center, a fitness center, a school and houses were damaged during the strike, which took place at 15:30 local time (12:30 GMT).

Ukrainian forces still control parts of the Kursk region after launching a surprise invasion in August.

Ukraine’s foreign ministry said the Russian attack in the capital affected diplomatic missions in Albania, Argentina, North Macedonia, Palestine, Portugal and Montenegro. It was unclear whether the building where they lived was a direct target.

The Ukrainian military said the attack damaged several buildings in the city, killing at least one person and injuring nine others. No embassy diplomats are believed to have been injured.

In authenticated footage filmed in the Pechersky district, the windows of St. Nicholas Cathedral, Kiev’s second-oldest Roman Catholic church, were shattered after a nearby explosion.

The Ukrainian military said Russia launched 65 drones and missiles across the country overnight, most of which were shot down.

A man in Kiev who claims he is the owner of a restaurant that was badly damaged after the attack was filmed cursing Russians as “beasts” while observing the charred shell of a building in front of him.

The video was widely shared on social media.

Another resident Oksana sent the BBC photos of her destroyed apartment, with windows blown out and glass and bricks scattered on the floor.

“I don’t know how I survived,” she said.

“My balcony flew away and half the wall was gone. My neighbors were shocked and speechless. I have nothing to say to those who did this.”

A local journalist at the scene told the BBC that a nearby building used by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) was likely the target of the attack, although most of the damage seen by the BBC affected the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) . building.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement confirming the attack that a “command post” of the Russian Security Service launched the missile in response to an attack on a chemical plant in Russia’s Rostov region two days ago.

But there is also speculation in Kiev that Friday’s attack may be linked to the killing of a man. Russian General, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillovin Moscow on Tuesday.

Friday’s attack occurred a day later Vladimir Putin’s year-end press conference And on a call-in show, he threatened to fire more ballistic missiles at Ukraine’s capital.

Kyiv fears Russia could take advantage So-called Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile Attack the capital. Moscow test-fired a missile over the city of Dnipro earlier this month.

Earlier on Friday, Ukrainian authorities issued an aerial warning of possible Oreshnik missile launches and urged people in Kiev to urgently seek asylum. It turned out to be a false alarm.