Russian drones struck a school in Kiev, igniting a second-floor fire and causing structural damage but no reported injuries, President Zelensky said. Two drones also hit near a support pillar of the South Bridge over the Dnipro, prompting suspension of metro and public transport while experts inspect the structure. City officials have updated a warning system that can allow the metro to run during certain drone alerts, and authorities called for increased international support.
Russian Drone Hits Kiev School; Strikes Near South Bridge Suspend Metro
FILE PHOTO - A police officer examines a jet engine at the site where a Russian strike drone hit an apartment building during a Russian attack on Ukraine. (is associated with: «Russian drones hit Kiev school, strike near major river bridge») Aleksandr Gusev/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
A Russian drone struck a school in Kiev on Thursday, causing a fire on the building's second floor and leaving windows, doors and part of an exterior wall damaged. President Volodymyr Zelensky said pupils and teachers were unharmed.
"The Russian monsters continue to attack the life of our country, Ukrainian children and our schools," Zelensky wrote on social media.
Local news outlet Hromadske reported the school had been hit previously and noted that most pupils have been learning online because of the ongoing threat of strikes.
Bridge Strike and Transport Disruption
Officials in Kiev said two drones struck close to a support pillar of the South Bridge over the Dnipro river. Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced on Telegram that metro and other public transport services across the bridge were suspended while structural experts inspect the site.
Videos circulating on social media show a drone strike near a moving metro train, prompting authorities to review safety procedures. City officials recently introduced a warning system in early September that allows the metro line crossing the South Bridge to continue operating during some types of drone alerts; previously, traffic was halted whenever an air-raid alarm sounded.
Context and Impact
More than a third of Kiev's roughly 3 million residents live in high-rise estates on the eastern bank of the Dnipro. Seven bridges carry metro, rail and road traffic between the city's eastern and western districts. Officials say the bridges have not been seriously attacked since the Russian invasion began in February 2022, but recent strikes near a key support pillar highlight ongoing risks to critical infrastructure.
No casualties were reported from the school strike, and authorities have pledged investigations and inspections. Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's intention to counter such attacks and urged international partners to increase pressure on Russia and step up support for Ukraine's defense and recovery efforts.
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