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Kyiv comes under Russian missile attack as Ukrainian drones set homes on fire in Russia’s Voronezh

Kyiv comes under Russian missile attack as Ukrainian drones set homes on fire in Russia’s Voronezh
This photograph shows flowers and toys brought by people in front of a residential building in Kyiv on August 1, 2025, partially destroyed following a Russian missile strike morning on July 31, 2025. (AFP)
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Updated 03 August 2025

Kyiv comes under Russian missile attack as Ukrainian drones set homes on fire in Russia’s Voronezh

Kyiv comes under Russian missile attack as Ukrainian drones set homes on fire in Russia’s Voronezh

KYIV: Russia and Ukraine exchanged missile and drone strikes early Sunday, resulting in more homes and utility buildings destroyed, officials from the warring neighbors said.

Kyiv came under Russian missile attack and witnesses said they heard a loud blast shaking the capital city soon after midnight Saturday, the military administration of the Ukrainian capital said on its Telegram messaging app.

In the southern Russian region of Voronezh, a woman sustained a leg injury from Ukraine’s overnight drone attack that also resulted in several homes and utility buildings catching fire from falling drone debris, the governor said.

Air defense units destroyed about 15 Ukrainian drones over the region, Governor Alexander Gusev, wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

“The threat of further drone attacks remains,” Gusev said in the post early on Sunday.

Reuters could not independently verify Gusev’s report. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.

Both sides deny targeting civilians in their strike in the war that Russia launched with a full-scale invasion on Ukraine in February 2022.
Kyiv says that its attacks inside Russia are aimed at destroying infrastructure key to Moscow’s war efforts and are in response to Russia’s relentless strikes on Ukraine.
The Russian defense ministry said that its units destroyed 41 drones just before midnight on Saturday over Russian regions bordering Ukraine and over the waters of the Black Sea.


UK train attack hero named as British-Arab rail worker Samir Zitouni

Samir Zitouni, who shielded passengers from a knife attack on a train, is in a critical condition in hospital. (LNER)
Samir Zitouni, who shielded passengers from a knife attack on a train, is in a critical condition in hospital. (LNER)
Updated 39 min 9 sec ago

UK train attack hero named as British-Arab rail worker Samir Zitouni

Samir Zitouni, who shielded passengers from a knife attack on a train, is in a critical condition in hospital. (LNER)
  • London North Eastern Railway employee Zitouni is in a critical but stable condition after he was injured shielding passengers from the attacker
  • His family, colleagues, police and politicians praise his bravery, which is credited with saving many lives during mass stabbing

LONDON: A British-Arab railway worker credited with saving many lives during a mass stabbing on a UK train was named on Tuesday as Samir Zitouni.

The 48-year-old, who shielded passengers from the attack, remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital, British Transport Police said.

Zitouni, a customer experience host who has worked for London North Eastern Railway for more than 20 years, was on duty on the Doncaster to London King’s Cross service on Saturday evening when the attack took place. Witnesses, colleagues, police and politicians have praised his actions as “courageous” and “heroic.”

David Horne, LNER’s managing director, said: “In a moment of crisis, Sam did not hesitate as he stepped forward to protect those around him. His actions were incredibly brave and we are so proud of him, and of all our colleagues who acted with such courage that evening.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain with Sam and his family. We will continue to support them, and wish him a full and speedy recovery.”

Zitouni’s family said they were “deeply touched by the outpouring of love and kindness” toward him.

“We are immensely proud of Sam and his courage,” they added. “The police called him a hero on Saturday evening, but to us he’s always been a hero.”

The statements on Tuesday did not provide any further details about Zitouni. Some social media posts described him as Algerian-born.

Transport police said on Sunday that CCTV footage of the attack showed an LNER employee, now identified as Zitouni, attempting to stop the attacker.

“The actions of the member of rail staff were nothing short of heroic and undoubtedly saved people’s lives,” Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Cundy said.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood on Monday paid tribute to the “breathtaking bravery” of those on the train, including Zitouni.

“On Saturday, he went to work to do his job — today, he is a hero and forever will be,” she said.

Passengers told how a man wielding a knife began attacking people on the train as it passed through Cambridgeshire on Saturday evening. Ten people were taken to hospital for treatment after the train stopped at Huntingdon station and another admitted themselves later. Seven have been discharged and three remain in hospital in a stable condition, along with Zitouni.

Anthony Williams, 32, has been charged with 10 counts of attempted murder related to the train attack, and an additional count of attempted murder in connection with a separate incident in London on Saturday.