Russian air strikes killed 12 people and caused multiple injuries in Kyiv and its surrounding areas early Tuesday, marking the sixth consecutive day of intensified attacks on Ukraine’s capital, authorities reported. The attacks come amid an ongoing escalation in Russia’s air campaign following a significant slowdown in its ground operations.
Since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has increasingly relied on drone and missile strikes. In recent weeks, Moscow has deployed swarms of new, fast-flying jet-powered drones that are more difficult for Ukrainian air defenses to intercept. Ukrainian officials said these drones and ballistic missiles targeted residential neighborhoods and critical railway infrastructure during overnight raids.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on international allies to enhance economic sanctions on Russia and reconsider the use of Russia’s frozen assets to support Ukraine’s military efforts. He also appealed for increased deliveries of air defense systems, highlighting a critical shortage of US-made Patriot interceptors, which are among the few systems capable of countering Russia’s ballistic missile attacks.
Officials in Kyiv reported that eight of the fatalities were railway workers killed in the overnight strikes. The city’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, confirmed further explosions on Tuesday morning and noted that a subsequent daytime drone attack injured three people and caused fires in a high-rise apartment building. Nearby Boryspil also experienced a deadly strike, where four people, including an Indian citizen, were killed and 13 others injured, according to Governor Tymur Tkachenko.
Civilians in the Black Sea region around Odesa were also affected, with President Volodymyr Zelensky stating that Russian attacks on a border crossing with NATO member Romania left thousands without power. Moscow’s Defence Ministry confirmed it had targeted military and energy facilities in Kyiv, Odesa, and adjacent regions.
The increased frequency of daytime strikes has disrupted everyday life in the Ukrainian capital, which has previously been mainly subjected to overnight bombardments. Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said Russia utilized over 2,800 jet-powered drones in August alone, representing a fivefold increase from June to July. Ukrainian forces reported intercepting five ballistic missiles during the most recent wave of attacks.
In a reciprocal escalation, Ukraine has intensified strikes against Russian targets, focusing on oil refineries and logistics hubs, including warehouses used by online retailers. Russian regional authorities reported fires and damage at the Ust-Luga port and in the Samara region, both significant for fuel exports. Civilian casualties were also reported in Russia’s Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine.
The conflict’s spillover effects are also being felt in neighboring countries. Estonia’s defense forces disclosed that Ukrainian-launched drones briefly entered Estonian airspace during a recent strike on Russian territory. Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur emphasized the incident underscored the need for enhanced air defense support for Ukraine.
Peace negotiations have stalled, with Ukraine rejecting Russian demands for territorial concessions and the United States focused on emerging tensions with Iran. Zelensky noted that discussions with US envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, were ongoing to arrange a visit to Ukraine, signaling continued diplomatic engagement despite the deadlock.