Ukraine Repels Russian ‘Kinzhal’ Missile Strike on Kyiv during Rush Hour

People sit at the Independence Square, as they mark the Defenders of Ukraine Day, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine October 1, 2024. (Reuters)
People sit at the Independence Square, as they mark the Defenders of Ukraine Day, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine October 1, 2024. (Reuters)
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Ukraine Repels Russian ‘Kinzhal’ Missile Strike on Kyiv during Rush Hour

People sit at the Independence Square, as they mark the Defenders of Ukraine Day, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine October 1, 2024. (Reuters)
People sit at the Independence Square, as they mark the Defenders of Ukraine Day, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine October 1, 2024. (Reuters)

Missile debris came down in three districts of the Ukrainian capital during rush hour on Monday morning after air defenses engaged and repelled a Russian strike, city authorities said.

No major damage or casualties were reported from the attack in which Russia fired hypersonic Kinzhal missiles at Kyiv, Serhiy Popko, head of the city military administration, said, citing a preliminary assessment.

Debris damaged the roof of a multi-storey residential building in the Solomianskyi district in the city's west and one piece of debris came down on the territory of a school, Popko's administration said.

Missile debris also fell onto an open area in the central Shevchenkivskyi district and damaged the roof of a car in the southern Kyiv district of Holosiivskyi.

Russia has staged long-range missile strikes on Ukraine throughout the war it launched in February 2022. Drone attacks have become regular, almost nightly occurrences.

Russia conducted an overnight drone attack on the area surrounding the capital, city authorities said. Around 15 drones were used in the assault, they added.



Pope Francis Slams World’s ‘Shameful Inability’ to Stop Israel-Hamas War

This overview shows destroyed buildings in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 7, 2024 on the first anniversary of the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)
This overview shows destroyed buildings in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 7, 2024 on the first anniversary of the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)
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Pope Francis Slams World’s ‘Shameful Inability’ to Stop Israel-Hamas War

This overview shows destroyed buildings in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 7, 2024 on the first anniversary of the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)
This overview shows destroyed buildings in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 7, 2024 on the first anniversary of the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (AFP)

Pope Francis criticized on Monday what he called the "shameful inability" of the international community to end the war in the Middle East, one year after Hamas' devastating attack on Israel.

"A year ago, the fuse of hatred was lit; it did not sputter, but exploded in a spiral of violence," he said in an open letter to Catholics in the region.

"It seems that few people care about what is most needed and what is most desired: dialogue and peace," he wrote. "Violence never brings peace. History proves this, yet years and years of conflict seem to have taught us nothing."

Francis, who has also made Monday a day of fasting and prayers for peace for Catholics globally, has spoken more openly in recent weeks about the Hamas-Israel conflict, and has become more vocal in his criticism of Israel's military campaign.

On Sept. 29, the 87-year-old pontiff criticized Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah as well as non-combatants, suggesting the airstrikes went "beyond morality".

Earlier in September, the pope called Israel's actions in Lebanon "unacceptable" and urged the international community to do everything possible to halt the fighting.

In his letter on Monday, Francis directly addressed Gazans: "I am with you, the people of Gaza, long embattled and in dire straits. You are in my thoughts and prayers daily."

"I am with you, who have been forced to leave your homes, to abandon schooling and work and to find a place of refuge from the bombing. ... I am with you, who are afraid to look up for fear of fire raining down from the skies," he wrote.