Russia launched a major aerial assault on Kyiv late Tuesday, with multiple explosions rocking the Ukrainian capital and a large plume of smoke rising over parts of the city.
Air raid sirens sounded across
Kyiv as Russian missiles targeted the capital. Residents reported hearing a series of powerful blasts while Ukrainian air defence systems engaged incoming threats.
“Explosions in the city. Air defence forces are working! Stay in shelters!” Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said in a message to residents.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s City Military Administration, said the city was under a ballistic missile attack.
“The enemy is striking with ballistic missiles,” Tkachenko said, urging residents to remain in shelters until the all-clear was issued.
The latest assault comes amid an escalation in Russia’s long-range strikes against Ukraine. Moscow has in recent weeks launched repeated waves of drones and missiles targeting Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Russian officials had earlier signalled plans to intensify attacks on Kyiv, including strikes on what they described as the country’s “decision-making centres.” Moscow also urged foreign diplomats and citizens to leave the Ukrainian capital, citing security concerns.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday warned that Russia could be preparing a large-scale attack and urged Ukrainians to closely monitor air raid alerts.
“Intelligence warnings regarding Russian strikes remain in effect. A massive strike is possible, they have prepared one,” Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.
“Our defenders are ready 24/7 to the fullest extent possible with the supplies currently available,” he added.
Last month, Russia announced that it intended to carry out what it called “systematic strikes” on military-related targets and decision-making centres in Kyiv. Moscow said the move was in response to a drone strike on a dormitory in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region that killed 21 people.
Ukraine has denied responsibility for that attack.
There was no immediate information on casualties or the extent of damage from Tuesday night’s strikes. Ukrainian authorities were continuing to assess the situation as emergency services responded across affected areas.
