Day 461 since the beginning of the war: Zelenskyj makes a declaration of war on Moscow. Two people died in attacks on Kiev on Sunday. All information in the news blog.
The most important things at a glance
One dead in Kiev after Russian attack
7.13 a.m.: One person died in nighttime Russian drone attack on Kiev. Fragments of the drones shot down by the anti-aircraft defense forces crashed into a residential building and killed a civilian, and an elderly woman was taken to a hospital, the Ukrinform state agency reported, citing the city administration and Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko. The block of flats caught fire. The search work is still ongoing, as there may still be people trapped under the rubble.
Other fragments of downed enemy drones crashed in different districts, damaging cars, among other things. According to the military administration, more than 20 drones were destroyed by Ukrainian air defenses in Kiev airspace. Never since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression in February 2022 have there been so many drone and rocket attacks in Kiev in one month as this May.
Moscow mayor reports drone attack on city
6.44 a.m.: According to the mayor, drones have hit several buildings in the Russian capital Moscow. As the mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced, several buildings were slightly damaged. “All of the city’s emergency services are on site. They are in the process of clarifying the circumstances of the incident.” According to the RIA news agency, the rescue service speaks of two residential buildings that were hit. One person was injured.
Some residents of a building in the south of the city would have to leave their homes and be taken to safety. Several Russian Telegram news channels say four to ten drones were shot down on Tuesday morning. It is currently unclear who shot down the drones.
The independent Russian medium “Baza” reports that a total of ten drones were shot down over Moscow. The districts of Istra, Odintsovo and Krasnogorsk are particularly affected. They are in the east of the city.
Ukraine asks South Korea for anti-aircraft systems
5:16 a.m.: According to a newspaper report, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is asking South Korea for anti-aircraft and early warning systems. “I know there are many limitations in supporting arms, but these principles should not be applied to defense systems and equipment to protect our assets,” Zelenskyy told the South Korean daily Chosun Ilbo. Anti-aircraft systems are not a weapon, but are used exclusively for defense. “We need a shield to rebuild Ukraine and I really hope that South Korea will support us in this area.”
South Korea is a major arms exporter. So far, the country has ruled out the delivery of lethal weapons to Ukraine, citing relations with Russia and Moscow’s influence on North Korea. However, the Seoul government said in April that it might change its stance if a situation arises that “the international community cannot accept.”
“Massive attack”: Russia bombs Kiev
2:57 a.m.: The Ukrainian capital Kiev has repeatedly been the target of nightly Russian bombardments. “A massive attack,” said Mayor Vitali Klitschko on the Telegram news channel. “Don’t leave the shelters.” The Kiev military administration says the anti-aircraft systems destroyed the missiles. Falling debris hit several districts of the capital, including the historic districts of Podil and Pecherskyi.
In the southwestern district of Holossiivskyj, a 27-year-old woman suffered injuries and was taken to the hospital, Klitschko explains. Russia repeatedly attacked Kiev with a combination of drones and missiles in May. It is the 17th Russian airstrike on the capital this month.
