Russian attack sets Kyiv ablaze, 30 dead as haze lingers, air rated very unhealthy

KYIV, July 3 — Authorities in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv urged residents to limit time outdoors Friday, after fires caused by large-scale Russian strikes led to a spike in air pollution.

At least 30 people were killed between late Wednesday and early Thursday, in Russia’s biggest attack on Kyiv since invading more than four years ago, according to Ukrainian officials.

The strikes set multiple buildings ablaze, sending columns of dark smoke across several city neighbourhoods.

AFP reporters in central Kyiv saw a smoky haze lingering over the city’s skyline, while a pungent odour hung in the air.

“Due to fires caused by the enemy attack on the night of July 2, as well as a lack of wind, pollutants have not dispersed in the atmosphere,” Kyiv’s military administration said in a post on Telegram.

“To improve the air quality situation, it is recommended to close windows, limit time outdoors, drink plenty of water, (and) if you have an air purifier, turn it up to maximum,” it added.

Swiss air monitoring company IQAir rated air quality in Kyiv as “Moderate” overall as of 11.00am (0800 GMT) on Friday, although some of its monitoring stations rated air as “very unhealthy”.

Russia has struck Ukraine on an almost nightly basis since its invasion in February 2022.

Ukraine, which has launched retaliatory strikes on Russia, said it would “definitely” respond to Thursday’s barrage. — AFP