EU ambassador on overnight attack: "Kyiv has become a frontline city"

EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová has commented on the 17 September Russian attack on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv.

Mathernová said the death toll in the city of Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast alone since the beginning of August is approaching 120.

"Kyiv has become a frontline city. Since 27 August, we have had nighttime and daytime attacks. The Russians struck us heavily last night, with a massive combined missile & drone attack. The attack ended just a few minutes ago… Russia launched dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles and hundreds of drones, more than half of them jet-powere," Mathernová wrote on X.

Mathernová also commented on a Russian attack on a passenger train in Mykolaiv Oblast on 16 September. A total of 168 passengers and train attendants were evacuated because of the threat of further strikes.

"I love Ukrainian trains. I love travelling on them. Today I still do, but with fear."

Mathernová pointed to Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs describing Ukraine's railway infrastructure as a "legitimate military target" and said no one could guarantee the safety of Western politicians and diplomats visiting Ukraine.

"That is not a warning. It is an admission," she added.

On the night of 16-17 September, Russia attacked Ukraine with 157 drones and anti-ship, ballistic and cruise missiles. Air defence forces have managed to down 131 aerial assets. The attack has injured 19 people, including two children, and damaged residential buildings, educational institutions, offices, a petrol station, warehouses, cars and railway infrastructure facilities.

On 13 September, Russia attacked a locomotive near the Polish border. The state-run railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) suggested that the intended target may have been a train carrying European diplomats, which had departed the station earlier than scheduled.