Russian Drone Hits Building of Ukraine's Academy of Sciences in Kyiv, Sparks Fire

A Russian drone struck the building of Ukraine's National Academy of Sciences in central Kyiv — a powerful fire broke out in the city's Shevchenkivskyi district. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported the strike on the non-residential building on Telegram, and videos from the scene clearly show that the building in question is indeed the Academy's.

Later, district administration head Oleksandr Sazonovych said there were dead and injured at the scene following the Russian strike, without specifying the exact number. "I ask residents not to approach the site and not to interfere with the work of the rescue services," Sazonovych appealed to Kyiv residents.

Video of the burning building shows people standing on window ledges as black smoke billows from the windows around them. Footage from another angle shows that the building's roof has collapsed, with flames bursting from inside.

The headquarters of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences is located beneath the hill on which Ukraine's presidential palace stands. This area is considered the safest in Kyiv: a direct strike on the president's residence could provoke a direct drone attack on the Kremlin in response.

Source: novinky.cz