Russia strikes Kyiv in mass overnight attack, killing at least 10 and wounding dozens as Ukraine urges air-defence action

What happened

Russian forces carried out a large-scale combined attack on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities during the night of Wednesday to Thursday, using drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. The assault began late on Wednesday evening, with the first air-raid sirens sounding after 9 p.m. local time, and continued for more than twelve hours according to analysts.

Kyiv was the primary target. Explosions were reported across all districts on both banks of the Dnieper River. Officials said a total of 28 targets were struck across the city. The attacks caused fires in residential blocks, and a multi-storey hotel in the central Shevchenkivskyi district (the CityHotel Residence, near government buildings and foreign embassies) was engulfed in flames.

Casualties and damage

By late morning on Thursday, the casualty toll was still rising. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko reported at least 10 dead and 56 wounded, including two children. The head of the Kyiv city military administration, Tymur Tkachenko, earlier confirmed nine dead and 34 injured, adding that more bodies were likely to be found. Another report cited by Ukrainska Pravda put the toll at 11 dead and 56 wounded. Rescue workers pulled seven people alive from under debris at one site, according to Ukraine’s interior minister.

Over 30 buildings in various parts of the capital were destroyed or damaged. A nine-storey residential block partially collapsed, trapping residents on the upper floors. Officials stressed that Russia deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure and residential buildings.

Official reaction

Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the strike as a “night of horror” and accused Vladimir Putin of waging “a vile and terrorist war against the civilian population, women and children”. He argued that Moscow was unable to achieve results on the battlefield and was resorting to attacks on civilians.

Do not delay decisions on air defence for Ukraine! This is our main appeal to partners after the night of horror that Kyiv experienced. At least 10 people died as a result of a brutal Russian attack on the capital of Ukraine using all types of missiles and drones. Unfortunately, the death toll may still rise. Rescue teams are still working.

Sybiha demanded concrete international action, not just words of condemnation. He called for the immediate delivery of air-defence systems and missiles, tighter sanctions on Russia, and increased support for Ukraine’s energy sector. He dismissed any justification that Russia’s strikes were retaliatory, insisting that Ukraine has a legitimate right to defend itself under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Tymur Tkachenko urged Kyiv residents not to ignore air-raid warnings, saying: “The Russians are deliberately hitting residential buildings. This night once again showed their terrorist nature.”

Wider context

Russia also struck other Ukrainian cities overnight, including Mykolaiv, Kryvyi Rih, Poltava, Kharkiv, and Cherkasy, according to Ukraine’s Air Force. President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had been on a visit to Ireland, announced he was returning to Ukraine immediately.

Polish and allied fighter jets were scrambled during the night as a precaution after the Russian bombardment. Poland’s Operational Command said the mission was preventive and aimed at securing airspace in areas adjacent to the threatened zones. The mission ended by early morning and no violation of Polish airspace was recorded.

Analysts suggested the attack may be linked to recent Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, noting that Russia is experiencing a fuel crisis. Ukrainian forces have been targeting strategic infrastructure deep inside Russian territory, while Moscow continues to gather missile stocks in border regions.