In a significant escalation of hostilities, Russia launched an extensive missile and drone assault on Kyiv early Monday, resulting in the deaths of at least nine individuals and injuries to 46 others, including five children, Ukrainian officials reported. The attack led to widespread destruction, with rescue operations ongoing as authorities cautioned that the death toll might climb further.
The overnight bombardment left severe damage across residential areas in the Ukrainian capital. Emergency services reported that a minimum of 15 apartment complexes were either damaged or destroyed. Among the hardest hit was a nine-story residential structure in Kyiv’s Podilskyi district, where rescue teams were actively engaged in freeing individuals trapped beneath the debris. Additionally, in the Bucha district, located northwest of Kyiv, another death was confirmed.
The Russian Defense Ministry acknowledged the execution of what it termed a “massive” offensive utilizing long-range missiles and drones. The ministry claimed that the operation targeted military, energy, and airfield infrastructure within Kyiv and various other regions across Ukraine. This assault follows closely on the heels of another major strike by Russia that resulted in at least 27 fatalities in Kyiv, marking it as one of the deadliest attacks on the city this year.
Amidst these developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the ongoing conflict, particularly around the strategically important town of Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk region. He dismissed Russian assertions that the town had been captured, indicating that fighting in the area is continuing.