New Delhi: Russia launched one of its largest overnight missile and drone attacks on Kyiv since the start of the war, killing at least one person and injuring
16 others, Ukrainian officials said on Saturday. The hours-long assault targeted Ukraine’s capital with ballistic missiles and drones, causing fires, damaging residential and commercial buildings, and piling further pressure on the country’s already strained air defence systems.
Ballistic missiles, drones hit multiple districts
According to Ukrainian authorities, the attack began around 1:30 am local time and lasted for nearly five hours. Russia fired 41 missiles and 125 drones, with Ukraine’s air force saying it intercepted 18 missiles. These included 17 ballistic missiles and around 108 drones. Despite the interceptions, several missiles broke through, striking different parts of Kyiv.
The strikes triggered fires across at least five districts of the capital and damaged apartment buildings, offices, industrial facilities, vehicles and a student dormitory. Rescue teams worked through the night to pull residents from burning buildings, while many people sought shelter in Kyiv’s metro stations, one of which also suffered damage during the attack.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the scale of the attack once again highlighted the country’s urgent need for more air defence systems and interceptor missiles. He urged Ukraine’s partners to accelerate military assistance, particularly supplies of Patriot missile systems that are crucial for defending against ballistic missile attacks.
Escalation follows Ukrainian strikes inside Russia
Russia’s Defence Ministry said it had targeted facilities linked to Ukraine’s military-industrial complex, including sites involved in drone and missile production.
The assault came a day after Ukraine carried out long-range drone strikes deep inside Russia, targeting logistics hubs, warehouses and energy infrastructure that Kyiv says support Moscow’s war effort. Ukrainian officials claimed the facilities were being used to handle sanctioned components for drone production and military logistics.
The latest exchange underscores the intensifying aerial war between the two countries, with both sides increasingly striking targets far behind the front lines. Analysts say Russia has stepped up ballistic missile attacks in recent weeks, while Ukraine has expanded its long-range drone campaign against Russian logistics and defence infrastructure.
