Russian strikes on Kyiv kill at least 13, authorities say
KYIV — Russian drone and missile attacks struck the Ukrainian capital overnight into Thursday, killing at least 13 people and wounding dozens, according to local authorities and reports from several news outlets.
Explosions were heard across the city as waves of drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles approached, with Ukrainian air defence attempting to intercept them. Fires broke out at multiple sites, including a hotel on the central Shevchenko Boulevard, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported on Telegram. Klitschko also said a ballistic missile attack targeted the city and that a nine-storey residential building was damaged, with some people trapped.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had warned on Wednesday that intelligence indicated a major assault was likely and cut short his visit to Dublin. He urged Ukrainians to take shelter, saying, “I am asking all our people to be extra careful, take care of yourselves and your children, and use shelters, this is very important.”
The attack comes amid a broader pattern of Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities. Russia has routinely launched combined drone and missile attacks during its more than four-year invasion, which has become Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
According to Deutsche Welle, Russia has targeted Ukraine’s energy facilities and other critical infrastructure over the course of the war. Meanwhile, Ukraine has developed longer-range drones and has struck targets deep inside Russia. A new analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimated that over 90% of Russian casualties came from drone attacks rather than direct human-to-human engagements.
The death toll was initially reported at two, then later revised upward to at least 13 by multiple outlets. The Guardian reported that 86 people were injured, 70 of whom had been hospitalised, and that the death toll could rise as emergency services continued to search through rubble.
In response to the attacks, the EU foreign policy chief said, “The more Moscow attacks civilians, the more sanctions must be imposed,” according to The Guardian. Ukraine’s foreign minister also urged allies to help Kyiv strengthen its air defence capabilities.