Russia launched its largest combined drone and missile assault on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, overnight, killing at least 20 people and injuring around 90 others in an attack that authorities described as the most extensive on the city since the start of the full-scale invasion.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the overnight bombardment involved an unprecedented number of drones and missiles striking multiple districts across the capital. Although previous attacks have resulted in higher death tolls, officials said this assault was the most massive in terms of the volume of weapons deployed and the geographical spread of the strikes.
The attack lasted for more than 11 hours, unfolding in several waves that included drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. Air raid sirens sounded throughout the night as residents sought refuge in underground metro stations. City authorities said more than 52,000 people, including approximately 4,500 children, sheltered in the subway system—the highest number recorded in recent years.
Among the hardest-hit locations was a residential district in southeastern Kyiv, where missiles struck a nine-storey apartment building, causing part of the structure to collapse. Emergency responders continued rescue operations through the day, searching for survivors trapped beneath the rubble.
A kindergarten located near one of the impact sites was also damaged after a missile created a large crater nearby, while surrounding residential buildings suffered extensive destruction from explosions and fires.
Ukraine’s military administration said children were among the casualties, accusing Russia of deliberately targeting civilian neighbourhoods.
“The enemy is once again deliberately targeting residential areas and killing civilians,” Kyiv military administration chief Tymur Tkachenko said.
An ambulance station and several civilian facilities were also damaged during the strikes. Kyiv authorities declared Friday a day of mourning for the victims.
Scale of Attack
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched 74 missiles and 496 drones during the overnight operation, primarily targeting Kyiv. While Ukrainian air defence systems intercepted the majority of the incoming weapons, officials said 25 ballistic missiles and 12 drones successfully struck 33 different locations.
The attack came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia appeared to be preparing another major offensive strike.
Following the bombardment, Zelensky renewed calls for Ukraine’s allies to strengthen the country’s air defence capabilities, including granting licences for domestic production of Patriot interceptor missiles.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence said the strikes targeted Ukrainian military-industrial facilities and energy infrastructure in response to what it described as Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow would continue increasing military pressure on Ukraine to achieve its objectives.
Ukrainian officials rejected Russia’s justification, insisting the strikes deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said it was “immoral” to equate Russia’s invasion with Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself.
