Two people were killed and 13 others wounded in Kyiv after Russian missiles and drones struck infrastructure and energy-sites overnight, Ukrainian officials reported on Saturday. The assault, which also damaged a kindergarten and triggered multiple fires, comes amid a renewed campaign targeting civilian and power systems ahead of winter.
Fire crews in the capital raced to control a blaze in a warehouse spanning approximately 13,000 m², aided by two helicopters, and extinguished another fire by midday. According to Kyiv city officials, the attack “set off multiple fires and damaged residential infrastructure, including a kindergarten.” The capital’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, warned residents of missile strikes and described the scene as unprecedented.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko posted on the platform X that “These strikes were once again directed at our civilian and energy infrastructure… Russia is now attempting to create a humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine to coincide with winter.”
According to Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Russia also targeted the energy grid, railroads and homes in Dnipro, Kharkiv and Sumy as part of the same campaign. He said the attacks were not isolated.
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Russia’s defence ministry claimed that the overnight strikes were aimed at “enterprises of Ukraine’s military-industrial complex and energy infrastructure facilities that support its operations.” In a separate statement the ministry said it had intercepted 121 Ukrainian drones overnight, including seven heading towards Moscow.
Ukraine’s air force reported downing four of nine missiles and 50 of 62 drones launched in the assault. It said there were five direct missile hits and 12 drone hits on 11 sites around the country.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy noted that since the start of the year, Russia had launched about 770 ballistic missiles and more than 50 “Kinzhal” hypersonic missiles at Ukraine. He emphasised the importance of advanced Patriot air-defence systems and said Ukraine is now seeking to secure 25 such systems from the United States.
The timing of the strikes appears calculated to coincide with the onset of colder weather and increased demand on Ukraine’s power and heating systems. Past attacks on energy infrastructure have resulted in blackouts and strained civilian resilience.