Russia has launched one of its largest aerial attacks on Ukraine since the war began, killing at least four people in Kyiv and surrounding areas after firing hundreds of drones and missiles, including the nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile.
Multiple explosions were heard across the Ukrainian capital during the overnight bombardment as residents rushed into underground shelters and subway stations for safety.
According to Ukrainian authorities, the attack involved about 600 drones and 90 missiles. Ukraine’s air force said it intercepted 549 drones and 55 missiles during the barrage.
The strikes caused widespread destruction across Kyiv, damaging homes, schools, shopping centres, theatres, museums and universities.
Rescue workers were seen battling fires and searching through rubble in several districts of the city.
Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, describing Russia as “genuinely deranged”.
He accused Vladimir Putin of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, including markets, schools and water facilities.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that two people were killed in the capital, while regional officials said two more deaths were recorded in the surrounding Kyiv area. Dozens of people were also injured.
Residents described scenes of panic inside underground shelters as explosions intensified during the attack.
One resident, Sofia Melnychenko, said debris began falling inside a subway station after several loud blasts, causing chaos among people seeking safety.
Russia’s military later confirmed it used the Oreshnik hypersonic missile in the strike, saying the attack was carried out in response to Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian-controlled territory in eastern Ukraine.
Moscow claimed Ukrainian attacks on a vocational school in the occupied Lugansk region killed 21 people, most of them female students. Ukraine denied targeting civilians and said it struck a Russian drone unit stationed in the area.
European leaders strongly condemned the latest Russian assault.
Ursula von der Leyen described the attacks as “terror against civilians”, while Emmanuel Macron said the strikes showed “the dead end of Russia’s war of aggression”.
Friedrich Merz also criticised Russia’s use of the Oreshnik missile, calling it a “reckless escalation”.
Authorities said the residence of Albania’s ambassador in Kyiv and the studio building of German broadcaster ARD were damaged during the bombardment.
The attacks came as Ukraine continues to face shortages of air defence missiles following increased global demand linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Despite renewed diplomatic efforts led by the United States, negotiations aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine have slowed in recent months.
