Russian Missile and Drone Attack Kills Two in Ukraine’s Capital, Kyiv

KYIV, Ukraine – A pre-dawn missile and drone strike in Kyiv on Wednesday morning claimed the lives of at least two people and left eight others injured, including four children, Ukrainian officials reported. The deadly attack hit apartment buildings, further escalating tensions ahead of Russia’s planned ceasefire during Victory Day celebrations in Moscow.

The Attack: Chaos Before Dawn

The Russian assault, which included a ballistic missile and multiple drones, came as part of Moscow’s ongoing campaign against Ukraine. The missiles and drones targeted various parts of Kyiv, including a five-story residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district, where debris from the drones caused a fire. The victims, found in the apartment complex, were killed by the fire. Meanwhile, four others, including three children, were hospitalized, and several others were treated at the scene.

In another district, Sviatoshynskyi, drone debris caused a fire that spread across multiple upper floors of a nine-story building. Emergency responders managed to rescue five people, with the fire covering an area of about 100 square meters.

In the Dniprovskyi district, a high-rise building’s upper floors were severely damaged by a drone strike, although no injuries were reported. Elsewhere in Kyiv, air defense forces successfully intercepted a ballistic missile in the Solomianskyi district, though its warhead fell, causing damage to nonresidential infrastructure. One person was injured in this incident.

A Ceasefire in the Works — But Tensions Run High

This attack occurred just as Russia was set to implement a unilateral 72-hour ceasefire to coincide with Moscow’s Victory Day celebrations marking the Soviet Union’s 1945 victory over Nazi Germany. The U.S. had also proposed a 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine accepted, but Moscow has yet to agree to terms it finds acceptable.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who expects high-profile guests like Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the military parade on Red Square, is hoping for a smooth celebration. However, any attacks, such as the drone barrage that disrupted flights at Moscow’s airports on Tuesday, would be a public embarrassment for the Russian leadership.

Ongoing Drone Threats

As tensions mount, the Kremlin has yet to comment on the recent strike in Kyiv. Meanwhile, Moscow claimed to have shot down dozens of Ukrainian drones overnight, with Governor Alexander Bogomaz reporting the destruction of over 140 airborne targets in Russia’s Bryansk region.

In addition to Kyiv’s attack, drone incidents were also reported across Russia. In Tula and Yaroslavl regions, multiple drone attacks were thwarted by local air defenses. In Saransk, east of Moscow, authorities warned residents about the potential threat of drones and announced the temporary closure of schools, kindergartens, and universities. Social media posts also urged locals not to share images or videos of the drone strikes.

Looking Ahead: The Struggle Continues

As the war enters its third year, Ukraine remains resilient in the face of continuous Russian assaults, while the international community watches closely, hoping for peace but bracing for more violence. With the Kremlin pushing for its own ceasefire and Ukraine accepting the U.S. proposal, both sides are preparing for an ongoing struggle that shows no signs of ending anytime soon.

Key Highlights:

• Two people killed, eight wounded, including four children, in missile and drone strikes on Kyiv.
• Fires break out in residential buildings following drone debris impacts.
• Ukraine intercepts multiple Russian missiles and drones in various districts.
• Tensions high as Russia plans 72-hour ceasefire for Victory Day; U.S. offers 30-day ceasefire proposal.
• Moscow claims to have thwarted Ukrainian drone attacks in several regions, including Bryansk and Saransk.