Ukraine updates: Russia hits Kyiv with heavy missile attack; 4 killed, dozens injured

Russian missiles struck Kyiv and the northeastern city of Kharkiv on Tuesday, killing at least four people and injuring dozens of others, authorities said.

Debris from missiles intercepted by Ukrainian air defense systems fell across the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, causing fires in some residential buildings.

"Explosions in the capital," Kyiv Mayor Klitschko announced on Telegram. He said one person had been killed in the city and also referred to extensive damage to residential buildings resulting in power outages and water supply issues. Ukrainian Interior Minister Igor Klymenko said two more people were killed in the Kyiv region.

In Kharkiv, one person was killed and over 40 were injured in multiple strikes that damaged buildings and civilian infrastructure, the head of the city's military administration, Oleh Syniehubov, said.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said the city was under "massive missile attack."

The Ukrainian air force said more Russian Kindzhal missiles were headed toward Kyiv and other areas to the south and west.

Rescue operations in the aftermath of another Russian strike continue. All the services are working. Over 500 State Emergency Service rescuers, municipal services, energy workers, and police officers.

Kyiv, Kyiv region, and Kharkiv. As of now, 92 people have been reported… pic.twitter.com/u3Qt3pZ81Z

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 2, 2024

Tuesday's missile barrage, which follows an overnight drone strike, comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed retaliation after Ukraine's strike on the Russian city of Belgorod which killed 24 people.

Poland dispatches F-16 jets to border following Russia missile attack

Poland said it had dispatched four F-16 fighter jets to its eastern border to protect its airspace after Russia launched strikes on Ukraine.

"In order to ensure the safety of Polish airspace, two pairs of F-16 fighters and an allied air tanker were put into action," the Polish army said in a statement.  

A Russian missile briefly entered Polish airspace last week during a widespread Russian aerial attack on Ukraine. NATO member Poland has been an ally of Kyiv since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.