Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Kyiv Since Start of Ukraine Invasion

KYIV, Ukraine — In the dead of night, Russia launched its most devastating air assault on Kyiv since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Ukrainian officials said the hours-long missile and drone barrage killed one person and injured at least 26 others, including a child.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the seven-hour overnight assault as “harsh” and “sleepless,” while air raid sirens, explosions, and emergency vehicles filled the city. The widespread destruction affected multiple districts across the capital, scattering debris, damaging ambulances, and reducing buildings to rubble.

“What Kyiv endured last night cannot be called anything but a deliberate act of terror,” said Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko.

Kyiv Endures Relentless Attack

According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia launched 550 drones and missiles across the country overnight, including 11 ballistic and cruise missiles. Most were Iranian-made Shahed drones. Ukraine’s defenses intercepted many, but debris rained down on the capital.

Authorities said five ambulances were damaged while responding to calls, and over 300 tons of rubble had to be cleared from city streets. In Kyiv, at least 14 people were hospitalized. Emergency services reported damage in at least five of the city’s 10 districts.

“We were all in the basement shelter because it was so loud. Staying home would have been suicidal,” said Alya Shahlai, a 23-year-old wedding photographer whose home was destroyed.

A Phone Call Between Zelenskyy and Trump

Hours after the assault, Zelenskyy said he had a “very important and productive” phone call with former U.S. President Donald Trump. The two discussed strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses, future U.S.-Ukraine weapons production partnerships, and broader peace efforts.

“We talked about defense industry capabilities, joint projects in drone tech, and diplomatic cooperation,” Zelenskyy said.

The White House did not immediately comment on the call, and Zelenskyy’s statement noted plans for further meetings between the countries’ teams.

Russia Escalates Attacks Across Ukraine

This latest assault comes amid a renewed Russian offensive. Less than a week ago, Ukraine experienced what was then the largest air strike of the war—now eclipsed by this recent bombardment.

Russia has also been pressing hard along the 1,000-kilometer front line. In June alone, it launched a record 5,438 drones and more than 330 missiles across Ukraine.

“Absolutely horrible and sleepless night in Kyiv,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted on X.

In addition to Kyiv, the Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Kyiv oblasts suffered damage from drone and missile strikes.

Meanwhile: Trump Talks to Putin

The airstrike coincided with a separate call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. When asked about progress toward ending the war, Trump said:

“I’m very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin. I don’t think he’s looking to stop [the fighting], and that’s too bad.”

Putin’s foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, confirmed the Russian leader remains committed to achieving the Kremlin’s objectives in Ukraine, saying Russia will not back down.

Russia Targets Ukraine’s Military Industry

Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its forces were targeting military manufacturing sites, including drone factories in Kyiv.

Zelenskyy has repeatedly called out these justifications as disinformation, citing continued attacks on civilian infrastructure. Ukrainian air defenses reportedly shot down 270 targets, including two cruise missiles. However, Russia still managed to strike eight confirmed sites using 63 drones and nine missiles.

Prisoner Swaps Continue Amid War of Attrition

Despite failed peace talks, both Ukraine and Russia confirmed a new prisoner exchange took place Friday. Zelenskyy said most of the returned Ukrainian soldiers had been held since 2022 and were seriously ill or injured.

While calls for diplomacy continue, so too does Russia’s increasingly destructive assault strategy — with Kyiv now at the center of the storm.

Source: AP News – Russia launches largest missile and drone barrage on Kyiv since war in Ukraine began