Russia launched one of its largest attacks on Kyiv early Friday, firing hundreds of drones and missiles that struck residential areas and energy sites across the Ukrainian capital, killing four people and injuring dozens, according to Ukrainian officials.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russian forces used 430 drones and 18 missiles in the overnight assault, describing the barrage as among the most extensive strikes on Kyiv since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Ukraine’s Air Force reported that most incoming weapons were intercepted, but falling debris triggered fires and widespread damage across nine districts of the city of nearly three million residents. High-rise buildings, a school, a medical facility, and administrative offices were among the affected sites. “A wicked attack – as of now, we know of dozens of wounded, including children and a pregnant woman. Sadly, four people have been killed,” he wrote.
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Municipal officials said emergency crews battled multiple fires throughout the morning as residents evacuated damaged buildings. Photos from the scene showed flames rising into the night sky as people gathered in debris-covered courtyards.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least 29 people were injured across the city. Nine of those wounded—including a pregnant woman—were hospitalized for treatment.
Some residents recounted moments of panic as debris struck their homes.
Anastasia, a 29-year-old Kyiv resident, said her apartment block shook violently when it was hit. “At that moment you don’t know what to do first: save yourself, your child, or run to help people, because so many people were screaming and needed help,” she told reporters.
Officials also confirmed that debris from an Iskander ballistic missile struck the Azerbaijani Embassy compound in Kyiv. No casualties were reported in that incident.
The attack also caused damage to Kyiv’s heating grid, interrupting service in one district before emergency repairs restored the system. Ukraine’s energy ministry announced partial power outages in the central Kyiv region, southern Odesa, and eastern Donetsk due to infrastructure damage.
The latest barrage comes as Ukraine continues launching long-range strikes against Russian military positions, a tactic Zelenskiy said would continue as Kyiv pushes allies to strengthen sanctions against Moscow.
Russian forces have escalated attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities in recent months, a pattern seen by analysts as an effort to pressure Kyiv ahead of winter. Ukraine has urged Western partners to accelerate air defense deliveries to better protect major cities from drone and missile barrages.