KYIV, Ukraine – Russia launched a large-scale overnight missile and drone assault on Ukraine’s capital early Thursday, triggering hours of explosions across Kyiv and damaging residential neighborhoods throughout the city, according to The Associated Press.
The coordinated attack involved ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, striking all 10 of Kyiv’s districts on both sides of the Dnipro River. Ukrainian authorities said the bombardment killed one person and injured at least 11 others, while emergency crews responded to multiple fires and collapsed structures.
Many residents sought refuge in Kyiv’s metro stations after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and local officials issued air raid warnings ahead of the attack. The sustained bombardment shook the capital for several hours as air defense systems attempted to intercept incoming threats.
Residential Areas Sustain Extensive Damage
Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said a residential building in the Desnianskyi district was partially destroyed during the strikes. Fires also broke out near residential buildings at two locations in the Pecherskyi district, while another blaze erupted near an administrative building in the Solomianskyi district.
Authorities also reported damage in the Obolonskyi and Podilskyi districts as emergency services assessed the full extent of the destruction.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the assault as a continuing “furious enemy attack” and urged residents to remain in shelters while rescue and emergency operations continued throughout the city.
Rescue Operations Continue Across Kyiv
Klitschko said five people were injured in the Shevchenkivskyi district, including a paramedic who was reported to be in extremely critical condition.
In the Desnianskyi district, rescue teams were dispatched after people became trapped inside a damaged nine-story residential building.
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Additional fires were reported across several neighborhoods. A blaze broke out on the roof of a multistory residential building in the Holosiivskyi district, while homes caught fire in both the Sviatoshynskyi and Darnytskyi districts. Falling debris also trapped residents inside damaged buildings, prompting further rescue efforts.
Intensified Strikes on the Ukrainian Capital
The latest assault comes amid an escalation in Russian attacks targeting Kyiv in recent weeks, despite Ukraine’s continued long-range drone operations against Russian military facilities and energy infrastructure.
According to the report, Ukraine’s drone campaign has contributed to fuel shortages and disrupted supply lines inside Russia, while Moscow has intensified aerial attacks on the Ukrainian capital.
Emergency responders continued working across Kyiv as authorities assessed casualties and infrastructure damage. Officials have not yet released a comprehensive estimate of the overall impact of the overnight strikes.
Tags: Ukraine, Russia, Kyiv, Russia-Ukraine War, Missile Attack, Drone Strike, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vitali Klitschko, Tymur Tkachenko, Civilian Casualties, Air Defense, Europe
