Russia launches massive overnight missile and drone strike on Kyiv, Poland scrambles fighter jets
Russian forces launched one of the largest air assaults on Kyiv in months, striking the Ukrainian capital with missiles and drones as Poland scrambled fighter jets in a preemptive security response.
Massive strike on Kyiv
Throughout the night, Russian long-range aviation launched a combined missile and drone attack on the Ukrainian capital. Mayor Vitalii Klitschko reported that a hotel roof on Shevchenko Boulevard caught fire, and flames engulfed a multi-story residential tower. In one nine-story building, the fire cut off escape routes for those on the upper floors. Debris from downed drones sparked fires across nearly 30 locations, including in Darnytskyi, Sviatoshynskyi, Holosiivskyi, and Pecherskyi districts. An ambulance dispatch base in the Shevchenkivskyi district was struck, injuring five medical workers. According to the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, Tymur Tkachenko, the attack caused two fatalities and 20 injuries, with residential and civilian infrastructure suffering the brunt of the damage.
Kyiv is being attacked with ballistic missiles. There are fires in several districts.
Poland activates air defenses
In response to the escalation across its eastern border, Poland’s Operational Command of the Armed Forces ordered fighter jets to begin operating in national airspace shortly after 1:00 a.m. Ground-based air defense and radar systems were placed on high alert. The military stressed the measures were preemptive and aimed at securing the airspace adjacent to the threatened area. The operation ended around 4:36 a.m., and no violation of Polish airspace was recorded. The command thanked NATO, Allied Air Command, and the French and Dutch armed forces for their support.
The operation of military aviation in our airspace, related to the Russian Federation's strikes on Ukraine, has been completed. We have not recorded any violation of Polish airspace.
- President Zelenskyy warns of intelligence on Russian mass attack, cuts short Ireland visit.
- Massive missile and drone strikes begin hitting Kyiv; fires break out across multiple districts.
- Poland scrambles fighter jets and activates air defense systems as a preemptive measure.
- Polish military ends air operation; no violation of Polish airspace detected.
Zelenskyy cuts visit short
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was in Dublin, had earlier warned that intelligence indicated Russia was preparing a massive strike. “We know that Putin had been preparing this attack for some time. Tonight, there is such a threat,” he said in a Telegram post. He immediately announced his return to Ukraine and issued orders to the military, interior ministry, special services, and intelligence. He urged citizens to heed air raid sirens and seek shelter.
We have intelligence data. Today, very worrying information has emerged about further preparations for a Russian mass attack. I have already issued appropriate orders to the military, the interior minister, special services, and intelligence.
Broader war toll
Separately, the Center for Strategic and International Studies released updated casualty estimates for the full‑scale war. Russia is estimated to have suffered 1.4 million soldiers killed or wounded, of whom around 450,000 are dead, four times all U.S. combat losses since World War II. Ukrainian forces have sustained between 525,000 and 625,000 casualties, with 125,000 to 150,000 killed, according to the study.
