ISTANBUL

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko on Friday urged residents to temporarily leave the Ukrainian capital, saying a large-scale Russian attack damaged critical infrastructure, leaving nearly half of the city’s apartment buildings without heating.

Nearly 6,000 apartment buildings in Kyiv are currently without heating due to damage caused by the overnight strike, Klitschko said in a statement on Telegram.

Klitschko said mobile boilers have been delivered to social institutions, including hospitals and maternity wards, adding that municipal services and energy workers are working to restore heating and electricity.

“We are doing everything to restore heat and power as soon as possible. But the combined attack on Kyiv last night was the most painful for the capital’s critical infrastructure,” he said, warning that cold weather is expected to persist in the coming days.

The mayor called on residents to temporarily leave the city, if possible, to places where alternative sources of heat and electricity are available.

Ukrainian authorities said the capital was attacked overnight with drones and missiles, including ballistic missiles, with impacts recorded across several districts. Four people were killed and at least 25 others injured, according to officials.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said in response to Kyiv’s alleged attempt to attack President Vladimir Putin's residence, its forces launched a massive strike, including with the Oreshnik missile, on critical Ukrainian targets.