Overnight into Friday, Kyiv experienced a series of drone and missile strikes, marking the most extensive aerial assault since the onset of Russia's war in Ukraine. The attacks resulted in 23 injuries and caused damage across several districts of the capital.
According to the country's Air Force, Russia launched a total of 550 drones and missiles during the night, primarily utilizing Shahed drones, along with 11 missiles.
Journalists from the Associated Press in Kyiv reported hearing the persistent hum of drones overhead, accompanied by explosions and heavy machine gun fire as Ukrainian forces worked to counter the aerial onslaught.
Kyiv was the main target of the recent attack, resulting in at least 23 injuries, with 14 individuals requiring hospitalization, as reported by Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted 270 targets, including two cruise missiles, while another 208 targets were lost from radar and are presumed to have been jammed.
Russia managed to strike eight locations using nine missiles and 63 drones, with debris from intercepted drones landing in at least 33 areas. This assault occurred just hours after President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and made his first public remarks regarding his administration's decision to pause certain weapon shipments to Ukraine.
This decision impacts munitions such as Patriot missiles, AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missiles, and shorter-range Stinger missiles, all of which are essential for countering incoming missiles and drones, as well as for downing Russian aircraft. Notably, it has been less than a week since Russia's previous major aerial assault, during which Ukraine’s Air Force reported the launch of 537 drones, decoys, and 60 missiles.
Emergency services reported damage across at least five of the ten districts in the capital. In the Solomianskyi district, a five-story residential building was partially destroyed, and the roof of a seven-story building caught fire. Fires also erupted at a warehouse, a garage complex, and an auto repair shop.
In the Sviatoshynskyi district, a strike impacted a 14-story residential building, igniting a fire that also spread to several nearby vehicles. Additional blazes were reported at non-residential facilities.
In the Shevchenkivskyi district, an eight-story building was attacked, resulting in damage to the first floor. Falling debris was observed in the Darnytskyi and Holosiivskyi districts.
Ukraine’s national railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, reported that drone strikes caused damage to rail infrastructure in Kyiv.
