At least nine people have been killed and 28 others injured after Russian missile and drone strikes hit Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, causing extensive damage to residential buildings and triggering fires across several districts.
Ukrainian emergency officials said the attacks affected five areas of the city, with four children among those injured. More than 100 people were rescued from impacted locations as emergency workers searched through the rubble.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned residents to seek shelter as the attack unfolded.
“Kyiv is under ballistic missile attack. Stay in shelters,” Klitschko said.
The Darnytsky district recorded the highest casualties, with seven people killed and several others wounded after multiple buildings and vehicles were damaged. In the Solomiansky district, two people lost their lives when a five-storey residential building was struck.
Residents described scenes of devastation following the bombardment.
“Everything was smashed, the windows, everything. I can barely stand. I don’t know how I’m going to get through all this,” said 75-year-old Kateryna Kravchenko, whose apartment was damaged.
Another resident, identified as Oksana, said the attack had convinced her to leave the city.
“You can’t stay here after something like this. What guarantee is there that it won’t happen again?” she said.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence said it carried out a large-scale strike targeting military-industrial facilities and logistics centres in the Kyiv region.
The latest attack comes as fighting between Russia and Ukraine continues to intensify, with both countries increasing long-range strikes in recent months.
Ukraine has renewed calls for additional air defence systems from its international partners. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said stronger air defences were essential to protecting civilians and ending the conflict.
“Ukraine urgently needs additional air and missile defence systems and interceptors. The battle for the skies will define the course of this war, and the stronger our air shield becomes, the closer peace will be,” Sybiha said.
Meanwhile, Russia said its air defence systems intercepted hundreds of Ukrainian drones overnight, underscoring the continuing escalation of hostilities between the two countries.
