Upon arrival in Kyiv on Saturday morning, the Belgian Senate President Stéphanie D’Hose was immediately advised to take shelter at her hotel due to security concerns.
D’Hose’s arrival in the Ukrainian capital, which was targeted by large drone attacks since early Friday, has been affected by tighter security measures and protocol. The majority of the drone attacks, starting around 02:00, were intercepted by the city’s anti-aircraft defence system.
She arrived in Kyiv around 07:00 (06:00 CET) by train, which departed from Dorohusk, a Polish village bordering Ukraine on Friday evening. D’Hose and her delegation were initially meant to be welcomed at the train station by Peter Van De Velde, the Belgian Ambassador to Kyiv.
However, the escalating attacks, regarded as one of the most significant in Kyiv in recent months, prevented his arrival.
The Ukrainian Parliament’s Deputy Secretary instead welcomed the Senate President. The delegation was swiftly escorted to a hotel, centrally located in the heavily secured area surrounding the presidential palace.
Belgian ambassador to Ukraine Peter Van De Velde and Senate chairwoman Stephanie D'Hose pictured in the cellars of the Natsionalny hotel while waiting for the end of a massive drone attack prior to a visit to Kyiv, Ukraine. Credit: Belga / Benoit Doppagne
D’Hose’s visit to Kyiv was purposed for a meeting with Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky and a commemoration of the Holodomor, the severe famine that beleaguered Ukraine 90 years ago.
She was also scheduled to present a resolution in the Ukrainian Parliament, endorsed by the Belgian Senate on Friday, to propose sanctions on Russia for its policy on the deportation of Ukrainian children.
Concerns were initially raised regarding the feasibility of the planned activities due to the ongoing attack and the outdoor ceremony for the Holodomor in the presence of the Ukrainian President. However, the air raid alarm was lifted at around 09:00 (08:00 CET), allowing the programme to proceed as planned.
Senate chairwoman Stephanie D'Hose pictured during a visit to the national Holodomor Museum in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Saturday 25 November 2023. Credit: Belga / Benoit Doppagne
One of the largest Russian drone attacks was reported at dawn on Saturday in the Ukrainian capital, causing at least two injuries, according to Ukrainian authorities.
"Currently, there are two casualties in the Solomyansky district. Both individuals have received on-site medical attention," wrote Kyiv mayor, Vitali Klitschko, on Telegram.
A residential building in the same district has suffered damage due to falling debris. The emergency services are working to rescue two women from the ruins.
Several fires erupted in this area, including one at a children's garden, added the capital's mayor. Wreckage from drones shot down by Ukrainian anti-aircraft defences has also fallen in the Pechersky district.
The explosives drones are Iranian-made "Shahed" models, say local authorities, who have not provided an estimation of the number of projectiles targeting the capital.
