Russia launched a barrage of missiles targeting Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, just hours before thousands of children returned to school for the first day of the academic year. The attack damaged a water treatment plant, a metro station entrance used as a shelter, two schools, and a university, according to Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko.
Ukraine’s military reported that 22 cruise and air ballistic missiles were intercepted and destroyed by the air force. Despite the successful defense, debris from the missiles injured three people, local authorities said.
The missile strikes coincided with what should have been a day of celebration for schoolchildren across Kyiv. Teachers and parents worked to maintain a sense of normalcy, welcoming smiling students with music and a sea of flowers. However, the emotional toll was evident. A parent who hid with her daughter during the attack described the resilience of the nation, stating, “Children are smiling, but you can see the strain on the faces of their teachers who carry this burden.”
Yevheniia, a 33-year-old mother taking her six-year-old daughter to school for the first time, recounted the fear they experienced. “Her hands were shaking,” Yevheniia said. “Our apartment started to stink of smoke, but we still need to go to school, right? We are Ukrainians.”
Alina, a student at the damaged university, described the panic that ensued when the air raid alert sounded, forcing everyone into a bomb shelter. “We were very scared,” she said, adding that they witnessed a fire after hearing explosions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the significance of the day, calling it “one of the most important days of the year” for children, their families, and teachers. He praised the resilience of the Ukrainian people, stating, “All our schools, all higher education institutions that are working today are proof of the resilience of our people and the strength of Ukraine.”
In response to the attacks, all of Ukraine was placed on alert, and Poland, a neighboring NATO state, deployed aircraft to secure its airspace during the Russian strikes.
Russian Offensive Gains Ground in Donbas
Meanwhile, Russia’s military has intensified its offensive in the Donbas region. According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russian forces advanced on 477 sq km (184 sq miles) of Ukrainian territory last month, marking the largest monthly gain since October 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed his forces were advancing at the fastest pace in a “long time,” capturing several square kilometers of territory daily.
In contrast, the Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk region on August 6 has seen slower progress. Ukraine claims to control 1,294 sq km (500 sq miles) of territory, including 100 settlements, and has captured nearly 600 Russian soldiers.
Despite concerns that the Kursk offensive may have diverted troops from the Donbas frontline, President Zelensky defended the operation, stating that it was proceeding “according to the plan” and could potentially ease pressure on the eastern front.