Russia conducted a large-scale attack on Ukraine’s capital overnight into Thursday, resulting in at least eight fatalities and dozens of injuries as loud explosions resonated through Kyiv for several hours.
The assault, involving ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, caused damage to buildings and civilian infrastructure throughout the city. Many residents sought refuge in metro stations after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other officials issued initial warnings regarding the attack.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that 11 people were killed in Kyiv and 20 residential buildings sustained damage. Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, stated that 54 individuals were injured, including two children. He added that damage was documented in 30 locations across the city, primarily affecting residential structures and civilian infrastructure.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha appealed to Ukraine’s allies to reinforce the country's air defenses following what he termed a "night of horror" in Kyiv, urging partners not to delay decisions on providing air defense systems and missiles. Writing on X, Sybiha noted that the death toll could increase as rescue teams continued their operations.
Russia has escalated its attacks on Kyiv in recent weeks, even while Ukraine's own long-range drone campaign against Russian military sites and energy facilities has led to fuel shortages and supply line disruptions within Russia.
Sybiha dismissed any attempts to rationalize the Russian strikes as retaliation for Ukraine’s long-range actions, asserting that Ukraine was exercising its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter while Russia remained the aggressor.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko advised capital residents to remain in shelters due to the ongoing "furious enemy attack."
He mentioned that a paramedic in critical condition was among those injured in the Shevchenkivskyi district. Ukraine’s Emergency Service reported damage to a hotel and two five-story residential buildings in that area.
In the Desnianskyi district, Klitschko stated that people were trapped inside a damaged nine-story residential building while rescuers proceeded to the site.
The Emergency Service confirmed a fire broke out on the roof of a 16-story building in the Holosiivskyi district.
Regarding the Sviatoshynskyi district, the Emergency Service reported fires in two private residences; the mayor added that debris trapped people in one of them. In the Darnytskyi district, Klitschko said six levels of a nine-story building collapsed following a Russian strike, and another five-story residential building was damaged. The Emergency Service also noted damage to a 16-story building and private residences in that area.
Tkachenko further detailed that the attack partially destroyed a residential building in the Desnianskyi district, caused fires near residential buildings at two sites in the Pecherskyi district, and ignited a fire near an administrative building in the Solomianskyi district. He also indicated that authorities were documenting damage in the Obolonskyi and Podilskyi districts. Mykola Kalashnyk, head of the Kyiv Regional Administration, reported damage across five regional districts, noting three injuries in the Bucha district.