Putin’s forces launch drone attack on Kyiv during Sir Keir Starmer’s visit

16 January 2025, 12:01 | Updated: 16 January 2025, 14:28

Russia struck Kyiv with a drone during Sir Keir Starmer's visit
Russia struck Kyiv with a drone during Sir Keir Starmer's visit. Picture: Alamy

By Asher McShane

Russia has launched a drone attack on Kyiv during Sir Keir Starmer’s visit.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Ukrainian air defences shot down a Russian drone with explosions reported in the city, according to eye witnesses.

There were no casualties but debris from one of the attacks damaged a car.

The debris hit a car just minutes after the PM had laid a wreath with President Zelenskyy at the Wall of Memorial in the city centre.

Debris hit a car just minutes after the PM had laid a wreath with President Zelenskyy
Debris hit a car just minutes after the PM had laid a wreath with President Zelenskyy. Picture: Alamy

Kyiv mayor Vitaliy Klitschko confirmed the Russian drone attack at around 10.16am UK time.

He later confirmed there were no reported injuries.

He said: "In the Solomyanskyi district of the capital, a piece of UAV debris damaged a passenger car.

"It tore apart the engine and partially the car's interior. There was no fire.

"There are no injuries at this time either."

The drone strike came minutes after Sir Keir Starmer laid a wreath
The drone strike came minutes after Sir Keir Starmer laid a wreath. Picture: Alamy

Sir Keir Starmer went on to visit wounded Ukrainians at a Kyiv hospital specialising in treating burns.

After a private tour of the intensive care unit, he met two patients on a rehabilitation ward that receives support from the British Red Cross.

The Prime Minister said the injuries he saw at the hospital were "a grim reminder of the heavy price that Ukraine is paying".

One patient called Petro, a civilian from Kyiv with burns across both hands and arms, warned Sir Keir: "If Ukraine falls, so does Europe."

Sir Keir went on to visit wounded Ukrainians at a Kyiv hospital specialising in treating burns
Sir Keir went on to visit wounded Ukrainians at a Kyiv hospital specialising in treating burns. Picture: Alamy

Sir Keir Starmer told broadcasters in Kyiv: "It's very important we ensure that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position.

"That's something I've been arguing for since I was Prime Minister. This is my seventh meeting with President Zelensky. I'm here at the burns unit of one of the Kyiv hospitals, which is a grim reminder of the heavy price Ukraine is paying.

"So we must give the necessary support, and that's what I'm discussing with President Zelensky today. We must never let up on that and we've been leading the way."

He said the 100 Year Partnership he was signing with Ukraine was a "real statement of our intent for the long term".

"So I'm here for both those purposes but the main one is to make sure Ukraine is in the strongest possible position during 2025."

He said Russian President Vladimir Putin's war had been a failure, and "one of the consequences of this conflict has been to draw Nato more strongly together".

"It's bigger and stronger than it has been, and we must stand behind Ukraine for as long as it takes.

"But when we say Ukraine must be in the strongest possible position, that can't be just words.

"And that's why I've had such intense discussions with President Zelensky over the months that I've been Prime Minister and will again here in Ukraine."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A woman gets her nails done.

Thousands of migrants working illegally in nail bars, car washes and restaurants have been arrested in effort to tighten UK border security.

Exclusive
Keir Starmer 'leads by example' as he becomes first PM and G7 leader to have public HIV test

Keir Starmer 'leads by example' as he becomes first PM to have public HIV test as part of goal to eliminate virus

Three Israeli Hostages Released As Part Of Ceasefire Deal

Abuse suffered by Hamas hostages during their 500 days in captivity revealed

Kaleb Cooper

Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper announces he'll be a dad to baby number three

Elements of the eucharist sacramental bread and sacramental wine.

Non-alcoholic wine and gluten-free bread cannot be used during holy communion, the Church of England has ruled.

Nelson Way, Chadderton.

Baby girl found dead in Greater Manchester home, with man and woman arrested

Police Scotland vehicle.

Man arrested and charged after attempted murder of police officer

US President Donald Trump

Trump imposes steel and aluminium tariffs, as he doubles down on plan to make Canada 51st state of America

Robbie Williams on Instagram

Robbie Williams pays £20,000 for comedian's iconic glasses and pipe

Garda

Man arrested after several people reportedly stabbed in Dublin

Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Reeves calls for economic growth talks with bank chiefs, after 'Stagflation' warning

Reform UK Holds a Regional Conference In Wiltshire

Farage claims Conservative Party has less than 100,000 members and blasts Kemi Badenoch for calling Reform member numbers 'fake'

Foreign Ministers attend an Arab League extraordinary meeting in Cairo on October 11, 2023.

Egypt to host emergency Arab League summit after Trump announces plan to displace 1.8 million Palestinians and 'take over Gaza'

Jack Fincham.

Love Island star admits to feeling like a 'failure' after spending '£1 million on drugs, alcohol and gambling'

Westminster Abbey and Church House

Church of England meeting at time of ‘unprecedented crisis’ after scandals and historical abuse claims

The plane was forced to make an emergency landing

easyJet flight forced to make emergency landing after pilot collapses on board