KIEV — Ukraine’s capital endured one of its deadliest attacks since the beginning of the war as Russian forces launched an extensive overnight assault involving rockets, cruise missiles, and drones. At least 21 people were killed and 86 others injured, with 70 individuals hospitalized, officials reported Thursday. Rescue teams continued searching through the debris well into the afternoon, and officials warned the death toll could rise.
The strikes targeted Kiev, home to around three million residents, with several residential buildings destroyed alongside a hotel and a telecommunications provider’s office in the city center. These attacks caused widespread internet service disruptions. Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that among the severely wounded was a 10-year-old boy whose parents were still missing. The child underwent surgery in a hospital, accompanied by his grandfather.
Russian authorities maintained that the attacks were aimed exclusively at military objectives. Moscow’s defense claims included that a factory producing guidance systems for Ukrainian missiles was among the targets, as well as electronics plants and a military fuel depot. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told state media that Russian President Vladimir Putin had been briefed and that all strikes were focused on military-related sites.
Ukraine’s military reported that Russian forces deployed nearly 570 aerial objects during the assault, comprising approximately 500 drones, 24 Iskander ballistic missiles, around 50 cruise missiles, and four Zircon hypersonic missiles designed for anti-ship purposes. The Ukrainian Air Force said it intercepted 524 of these incoming aerial threats, primarily drones, though the defense systems were less effective against cruise missile strikes.
President Volodymyr Zelensky had earlier warned citizens to brace for an imminent large-scale attack. Despite Ukraine’s efforts, Russian forces overwhelmed Kiev’s air defenses with multiple, coordinated waves of weaponry. Ukrainian authorities and analysts noted that while air defense support from Western allies exists, the limited supply and high cost of interceptor missiles constrain Ukraine’s ability to fully defend against sustained barrages.
The attacks were not confined to Kiev. Reports of air raid alerts and explosions emerged in other regions, including Zaporizhzhya, Pavlohrad, Sumy, and Kharkiv. Zaporizhzhya Governor Ivan Fedorov confirmed three injuries from Russian strikes in the southern city, though damage assessments in other areas were not immediately available.
In response to the attack, the European Union signaled intentions to increase sanctions against Russia. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that mere condemnation would not halt Russia’s strikes and emphasized the need for intensified military support to Ukraine coupled with greater pressure on Moscow. She also announced plans to propose sanctions targeting additional entities tied to Russia’s military-industrial complex.
Zelensky underscored the urgent need for enhanced air defense equipment, describing the provision of such systems as a “critical priority” in the ongoing conflict.