Deadly Russian Missile and Drone Strikes Hit Kyiv, Dozens Killed and Injured
Kyiv, Ukraine — At least 15 people have been killed and dozens more wounded after Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s capital city, Kyiv. The rare strike on the city center left widespread destruction, including collapsed buildings, damaged infrastructure, and fires across multiple districts.
Explosions Rock Kyiv at Dawn
Residents of Kyiv woke to powerful explosions before dawn on Thursday, with smoke rising above the skyline as Russian missiles and Iranian-made Shahed drones hit residential areas. According to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, at least 38 people were injured, including 30 who required hospital treatment.
A five-storey residential building collapsed in the Darnytskyi district, while a shopping mall in central Kyiv was also struck. Witnesses reported red tracer rounds in the night sky as Ukrainian air defense attempted to intercept incoming projectiles.
Children Among the Victims
Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko confirmed that two children were among the dead, citing early reports. The assault marks the first major combined missile-and-drone attack on Kyiv in weeks.
Moscow’s Strategy and Claims
Kyiv’s military administration reported that Russia launched ballistic and cruise missiles, alongside drones, in what officials described as a systematic attempt to target residential neighborhoods. Meanwhile, Russian authorities claimed they destroyed over 100 Ukrainian drones overnight and reported a fire at an oil refinery in Krasnodar, though no casualties were recorded.
International and Diplomatic Reactions
The attack comes as U.S.-led peace efforts struggle to gain traction in the ongoing war, now in its third year. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Moscow’s stance on peace negotiations, calling Russia’s signals “arrogant and negative.”
Ukraine is demanding Western security guarantees before finalizing any peace deal, but Russia has rejected such conditions as “unrealistic.” Talks are set to continue as Ukrainian officials prepare to meet U.S. counterparts in New York on Friday.
