Russia launches massive overnight air assault on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities after Zelenskyy warning
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy warned of an imminent large-scale Russian attack on Wednesday. Hours later, Russia launched a heavy barrage of missiles and drones on Kyiv and other cities.
Russian forces launched a large-scale air attack on Ukraine overnight, hours after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had warned of an imminent assault. The attack involved dozens of missiles and drones, striking Kyiv and several other cities.
Warning and prelude
Zelenskyy, citing intelligence, warned on Wednesday of a massive Russian attack. He cut short his visit to Dublin, where he had attended the start of Ireland's six-month EU presidency, to return home urgently.
Attack on Kyiv
The assault began in the evening with explosions shaking the capital. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that the city was under fire from ballistic missiles and drones. Residents fled to metro stations, some setting up tents to shelter underground. Air raid sirens sounded repeatedly, and nearly a dozen Russian bombers were reportedly in the air.
The whole city is being attacked.
Reporters described "incredibly loud explosions" that were audible even in deep shelters. The Kyiv Independent called it "one of the heaviest attack waves since the start of the war."
Damage and casualties
At least two people were killed and twenty injured, according to early reports, though some sources cited lower figures. Multi-story residential buildings and a hotel caught fire; a nine-story building had people trapped inside. The head of the Kyiv region, Mykola Kalashnyk, said warehouses and a house in Bucha district caught fire. At least twenty-eight buildings were damaged, mostly residential. A student dormitory and vehicles were also damaged.
Other cities and international reaction
Air raid alerts and explosions were reported in Zaporizhzhia, Pavlohrad, Sumy, and Kharkiv, though casualty details were initially unavailable. Poland scrambled fighter jets as a precaution after the attacks began, stating it was a protective measure for its airspace.
Context and significance
The attack followed recent Ukrainian drone strikes on St. Petersburg and Moscow. The Kyiv Independent emphasized that this was one of the most intense Russian barrages since the full-scale invasion began over four years ago.
