The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar has confirmed that the building of its embassy in Kyiv was damaged during the overnight massive attack by Russian forces. However, no diplomats or staff members of the institution were harmed.
This is reported by Kyiv24
“The State of Qatar expresses deep regret over the damage to its embassy building in Ukraine as a result of the strikes on Kyiv last night. It also confirms that none of its diplomats or embassy staff were injured,” the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a message shared on social media platform X.
Qatar’s Position and Demands for Diplomat Security
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the necessity of protecting diplomatic missions, headquarters of international organizations, and civilian objects during crises. It also highlighted the importance of adhering to international law and ensuring the safety of personnel at these sites.
In its official statement, Qatar also called for the resolution of the “Russian-Ukrainian crisis through dialogue and peaceful means,” reaffirming its support for international initiatives aimed at de-escalating the conflict.
Consequences of the Night Attack by Russia on Kyiv
As a result of the nighttime missile strike by Russia on Kyiv that occurred on January 9, significant damage was inflicted on the city’s critical infrastructure. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko described this attack as the most painful for the capital’s energy system and urged residents to temporarily leave the city if possible to protect themselves from disruptions in electricity and heating supply.
According to the Ministry of Energy, over 500,000 consumers in Kyiv and the surrounding area were left without electricity. The company DTEK specified that 417,000 families in Kyiv were without power, particularly in the Desnyanskyi, Dniprovskyi, Darnytskyi, and Holosiivskyi districts. Emergency power outages have been implemented in the capital.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko reported that she had received briefings from security and energy agencies regarding the consequences of the shelling and adverse weather. She emphasized that this time Russia deliberately targeted district heating plants, attempting to use winter as an additional tool of pressure.
The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that the Russian Federation used 36 missiles and 242 unmanned aerial vehicles in its attack on Ukraine, of which about 150 were Shahed-type drones. The use of a medium-range ballistic missile launched from the Kapustin Yar range in the Astrakhan region of Russia was also confirmed. Ukrainian air defense intercepted 244 targets; however, 18 missiles and 16 drones struck 19 different locations.
The Russian Ministry of Defense acknowledged the use of the medium-range ballistic missile “Oreshnik” to strike Lviv region, claiming that this was in response to an alleged Ukrainian attack on Vladimir Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region. Ukraine and its Western partners refute this information, emphasizing that Russia is trying to justify its actions and prolong the peace negotiation process.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced that Ukraine is initiating an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council, a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council, as well as appeals to the EU, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE in response to the latest attack.