**Russian Missile Strike on Kyiv Leaves Devastation and Death**
A devastating Russian missile strike hit the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv early on July 31, leaving at least 15 people dead and over 130 injured. The attack, which was part of a larger-scale overnight assault by Russia, has sent shockwaves through the city.
The Solomianskyi District in Kyiv was particularly affected, with a residential apartment building hit by a Russian ballistic missile. Among those who lost their lives were a grandmother and her two grandsons, aged 21 and 17, who were still missing as of 6 p.m. on July 31.
Kateryna Naralnyk, the 66-year-old grandmother, was one of the few survivors from her apartment building. She described the scene outside her destroyed home, where rescuers were still searching for bodies.
“It was like the end of the world,” she said, tears streaming down her face. “I couldn’t hear anything, and then I saw black smoke.”
Naralnyk’s son managed to escape with her, but her daughter and two grandsons remained trapped under the rubble as of 6 p.m. on July 31.
“This is not a war – it’s a destruction of a nation,” she said, expressing frustration at the ongoing conflict.
**Frustration and Desperation**
The attack has brought back memories of past strikes on Kyiv, which have left families destroyed and communities in shock. As US President Donald Trump threatens to impose new tariffs on Russia unless it agrees to end the war within 10 days, residents in the city say they are not surprised by Moscow’s continued aggression.
“We’re expecting more attacks,” said one resident, Anton Melnychonok, a soldier who was on the balcony when the missile hit his apartment building. “We’ve learned to live with this reality.”
Melnychonok, who serves in the military, recalled the moment the Russian missile struck his home.
“I didn’t even hear how it flew to us,” he said. “The air raid sirens went off first, and then the attack happened about two minutes later.”
**A Nation Under Siege**
As the world watches the situation unfold, it is clear that Kyiv remains a prime target for Russian aggression. The city has been hit by several missile strikes in recent months, leaving residents living with the constant threat of violence.
“What feels surreal is how normal it was last evening,” said Naralnyk. “We cooked dinner as usual, and everyone went to bed at their own time.”
The grandmother’s words echo the desperation and frustration felt by many Ukrainians, who are struggling to come to terms with the ongoing conflict.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
