Russia launched a major overnight attack on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, using a combination of drones and ballistic missiles, triggering fires, damaging buildings, and forcing residents to seek shelter across the city.
The attack began during the night while much of the capital was asleep. Ukrainian authorities said the main target was the central Shevchenkivskyi district, where multiple explosions were reported.
The strike came only hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that intelligence agencies had detected signs of a possible large-scale Russian attack on Kyiv.
Fires Break Out Across the District
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a large fire broke out on the roof of a three-storey non-residential building after debris from the attack fell on the structure. Emergency crews were rushed to the scene to contain the blaze.
Kyiv City Military Administration chief Tymur Tkachenko said a hotel in the district also caught fire, causing panic among residents and visitors in the area.
Ballistic Missiles Detected
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russian ballistic missiles heading toward northern Kyiv were detected at around 1:53 a.m. local time. Authorities immediately issued emergency alerts, urging residents to move to shelters and other secure locations.
Tkachenko said Russian drones entered Kyiv from multiple directions, making it difficult for air-defence systems to respond to every incoming target simultaneously.
Damage and Continuing Threat
Local officials reported damage to several buildings as a result of the combined missile and drone assault. While emergency services continued search and firefighting operations through the night, authorities warned that further attacks could not be ruled out.
Ukrainian officials said the latest strike demonstrates Russia’s continued use of coordinated drone and missile barrages against major urban centres, with Kyiv remaining one of the primary targets of such attacks.
Residents were advised to remain alert and follow official air-raid warnings as security agencies assessed the full extent of the damage and the possibility of additional strikes in the coming days.