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

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On Saturday, Russia launched a series of devastating attacks on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, using drones and missiles, resulting in the deaths of at least three people. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone strikes targeted industrial sites in Russia, setting fuel storage facilities ablaze.

Kyiv Under Fire: Drone and Missile Barrage

In the early hours of the morning, Russia launched 39 Shahed drones, several drone simulators, and four ballistic missiles aimed at Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions. Ukraine’s Air Force successfully intercepted two missiles and 24 drones, while 14 drone simulators were lost, according to a statement from Ukraine’s Air Force.

The Kyiv City Military Administration reported that the attack led to three fatalities and three injuries. The confirmed victims include two men aged 43 and 25, and a 41-year-old woman. A fourth victim, initially believed to be dead, is still under investigation.

The Ukrainian General Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the casualties included a security guard at a food establishment and several people in a minibus on the street at the time of the attack.

Destruction in Kyiv

The attack caused widespread damage across Kyiv. Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, reported broken windows in the Shevchenkivskyi district and smoke emanating from the entrance of a residential building. Additionally, a water supply pipeline was damaged, and the Lukyanivska metro station was temporarily closed after the attack damaged its glass entrance, though it later reopened.

Drones and missiles were also intercepted across multiple Ukrainian regions, including Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Donetsk.

Zaporizhzhia Struck by Russian Missile

In Zaporizhzhia, a Russian missile hit residential areas, injuring ten people. The strike damaged private vehicles and residential buildings. Local governor Ivan Fedorov confirmed that eight individuals, ranging in age from 28 to 69, were hospitalized, including a 48-year-old woman who was in serious condition.

Ukrainian Drone Strikes in Russia’s Kaluga and Tula Regions

In retaliation, Ukrainian drones struck industrial sites in Russia’s Kaluga and Tula regions, causing fires. In Lyudinovo, a drone strike ignited a fire at what residents identified as a local oil depot. The Tula region saw a fuel storage tank set alight. Local officials warned residents to stay clear of fallen drone debris.

Fortunately, no casualties were reported in either attack.

Russia Claims Downed Drones

Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that it had destroyed 46 Ukrainian drones across the country overnight, though Ukrainian drone strikes in Russian territory have caused significant damage to industrial sites.

The ongoing missile and drone exchanges highlight the continued escalation of the conflict, with heavy casualties on both sides and significant damage to infrastructure in both Ukraine and Russia.

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A Russian missile barrage on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, early Friday morning has resulted in at least one death and several injuries, while also causing significant damage to multiple embassies.

The Kyiv City Military Administration confirmed the fatality and reported that 12 others were injured. Of those, five required hospitalization, while the remaining seven received treatment at the scene. The missile attack comes just one day after a provocative challenge from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who referred to Ukraine as his “duel” opponent during an end-of-year conference. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded with strong criticism, calling Putin a “dumbass” in an online statement.

Russian Missile Attack and Air Defense Response

The missile strike occurred around 7 a.m., with Russia launching five ballistic missiles at Kyiv, according to Ukraine’s Air Force Command. Despite the intensity of the attack, Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted all five missiles. Additionally, 40 drones were downed, while 20 others failed to reach their targets. However, falling debris caused injuries and damage in the city center.

In one district, an office building, road surfaces, and a gas pipeline were severely damaged, while five cars were set on fire. A separate fire broke out at a construction site in another district, according to Serhiy Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration.

Embassy Damage and International Reactions

Several embassies, located in the same building, were also affected by the missile barrage. The embassies of Albania, Argentina, Palestine, North Macedonia, Portugal, and Montenegro sustained significant damage, with windows and doors smashed. Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for Ukraine’s foreign ministry, condemned the attack as “barbaric.”

Portugal’s embassy confirmed light damage and summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires to lodge an official protest.

Russia’s Justification and Further Developments

The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that the missile strike targeted Ukrainian military assets, including the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) command post and facilities linked to Ukraine’s missile defense systems. This action was described as retaliation for a Ukrainian attack on a chemical plant in Russia’s Rostov region earlier in the week, which used U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles.

“The strike targets were achieved. All objects were hit,” the Russian defense ministry stated in a Telegram post.

Zelensky Calls for More Sanctions

In response to the missile attack, Ukrainian President Zelensky called for additional sanctions against Russia and expressed gratitude to international partners for their continued support, including the provision of more air defense systems.

Kherson Under Heavy Shelling

Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russian shelling targeted the southern city of Kherson, killing two and injuring at least 10. The attack occurred as Russian forces attempted to advance in the region, according to local military authorities.

The ongoing conflict continues to escalate, with both sides intensifying military actions as the situation remains dire for the civilians caught in the crossfire.

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