Kyiv book market gutted in Russian missile strike; two injured

A Russian missile attack on Kyiv in the early hours of Sunday injured at least two people and caused significant damage across two districts of the capital, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service.

The strike, which used ballistic missiles, triggered fires in the Holosiivskyi and Obolonskyi districts. In Holosiivskyi, a blaze in a residential area was quickly contained with no reported casualties.

The most severe damage occurred in Obolonskyi, where a fire engulfed a large section of one of Ukraine's oldest and largest book markets. The fire spread across roughly 2,000 square meters, destroying numerous pavilions and thousands of books before being brought under control.

Nataliia Sudnyk, owner of an antique bookstore at the market, described the loss of her entire inventory, including pre-revolutionary and Ukrainian editions that existed in single copies. "Everything has burned down," she said, adding that some items will never be seen again.

Oleksandr Bahlai, who runs a medical bookstore for students, said he rushed to the market upon hearing the news. "How could I sleep? How could I stay at home?" he asked.

Firefighting operations continued at three addresses in Obolonskyi, where two non-residential buildings were also damaged. During the response, firefighters were forced to take shelter in a subway station as another attack occurred while they battled the flames.

Pavlo Petrov, a State Emergency Service spokesperson, confirmed that the fire at the market has been contained and that rescue crews remain on site.