At least 10 people have been killed and 56 others injured after Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, overnight, officials have said.
The assault damaged dozens of sites across the city, including residential buildings, with part of a nine-storey apartment block collapsing after being struck. Two children were among those injured, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the attack caused extensive destruction, including the collapse of six floors of a residential building following a direct hit by a Russian projectile.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, said at least 36 locations across the capital were damaged.
“The enemy has once again deliberately targeted residential neighbourhoods and killed civilians. We have sustained extensive damage and a significant number of casualties, including children.”
The attack came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cut short a visit to Ireland, warning intelligence reports suggested Russia was preparing a major overnight assault.
Residents sought shelter in underground metro stations as air raid sirens sounded across much of Ukraine, with many carrying children, pets and essential belongings.
Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Olha Stefanishyna, described the bombardment as another devastating night for the capital.
“Another horrific night for the residents of the city, who were forced to spend it in shelters,” she wrote on X.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said the strikes targeted military and energy infrastructure around Kyiv, as well as military airfields in the Poltava and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
The ministry said the operation was carried out using long-range missiles and drones in retaliation for what it described as recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Ukraine said it had struck the Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez oil refinery in Kstovo, in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region.
Ukraine’s General Staff said a primary crude oil processing unit was hit during the overnight operation, adding that the extent of the damage was still being assessed.
Erizia Rubyjeana
