At least 14 people were injured in one of the largest aerial attacks on the Ukrainian capital since the war began, after Russia launched a coordinated overnight assault involving 250 drones and 14 ballistic missiles.
According to Ukraine’s air force, the barrage targeted residential areas across Kyiv, setting buildings ablaze and causing widespread damage. Authorities confirmed that six missiles and 245 drones were intercepted, but falling debris and successful strikes led to fires and explosions in several neighborhoods.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the event as a “difficult night,” highlighting the extensive damage to homes, businesses, and civilian vehicles. Speaking on social media platform X, Zelensky said, “With each such attack, the world becomes more certain that the cause of prolonging the war lies in Moscow.”
The assault came just hours after a rare moment of diplomacy—a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine, brokered through talks in Turkey. The timing has raised questions about Russia’s intentions amid ongoing international efforts to de-escalate the conflict.
Local residents recounted terrifying experiences. “I wish they’d agree to a ceasefire. To bomb people like this—poor children,” said Olha Chyrukha, 64, whose neighborhood was struck. “My three-year-old granddaughter was screaming scared.”
Zelensky emphasized the need for the international community to apply “additional sanctions targeting key sectors of the Russian economy” to pressure Moscow into ending its campaign. He reiterated Ukraine’s resolve and called for sustained international support.
In a tit-for-tat escalation, last week Moscow accused Kyiv of launching hundreds of drones deep into Russian territory, including strikes over the capital. Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed it had shot down 485 Ukrainian drones in retaliation.
The latest attack underscores the volatile and devastating nature of the ongoing conflict, with civilians continuing to bear the brunt of hostilities. As both sides trade increasingly destructive blows, hopes for a ceasefire remain elusive, leaving millions in Ukraine and Russia on edge.
