Kyiv: Russia launched one of its biggest overnight air attacks on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, killing at least 10 people and injuring more than 50 in a wave of drone and missile strikes that hit homes, a hotel, and other civilian buildings. The attack caused widespread damage across the city and forced emergency workers to spend hours rescuing people trapped under the rubble.
The strikes began late on Tuesday night and continued into the early hours of Wednesday. Air raid sirens sounded across Kyiv as residents rushed to underground shelters while Ukrainian air defence systems tried to intercept the incoming drones and missiles. Despite those efforts, several projectiles reached their targets, causing fires and heavy destruction in different parts of the capital.
One of the most serious incidents occurred in central Kyiv, where a hotel caught fire after being hit during the attack. Flames and thick smoke rose from the building as firefighters worked through the night to bring the blaze under control. Several nearby buildings also suffered damage from the explosions and falling debris.
A residential apartment building was among the worst affected sites. Officials said a direct strike caused several floors of the building to collapse, trapping residents inside. Rescue teams used heavy machinery and search dogs to look for survivors while medical workers treated the injured at the scene. Authorities said the death toll could rise as search operations continued.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said more than 30 locations across the city were damaged during the overnight assault. These included apartment buildings, public infrastructure, vehicles, medical facilities and emergency service buildings. Many families were forced to leave their homes after windows were blown out and parts of buildings became unsafe.
Ukraine's Interior Ministry said more than 50 people were injured, including several children. Many victims suffered cuts, burns and injuries caused by falling debris. Hospitals across the city received dozens of patients as emergency medical teams responded to calls from different districts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack and said Russia had once again targeted civilians instead of military facilities. He praised emergency workers for their efforts and urged Ukraine's international partners to speed up deliveries of additional air defence systems to help protect cities from future attacks.
The latest assault came as Ukraine continues to press its allies for stronger military support, especially advanced air defence equipment capable of intercepting large numbers of drones and missiles. Ukrainian officials said the attack showed that Russia remains determined to increase pressure on civilian areas despite ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war.
Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces had carried out precision strikes against military infrastructure, airports and other facilities linked to Ukraine's armed forces. Moscow described the operation as retaliation for recent Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory and said all intended military targets had been successfully hit. Ukrainian officials rejected that claim, saying the extensive damage to homes and public buildings showed that civilians had borne the brunt of the assault.
The attack also highlighted the growing use of long range drones by both countries. In recent weeks, Ukraine has stepped up drone strikes deep inside Russia, targeting fuel depots, industrial sites and military related infrastructure. Russian authorities have reported damage in several regions, while Ukraine has faced increasingly frequent large scale missile and drone attacks on its cities.
The violence has raised concerns among Ukraine's neighbours. During the overnight attack, Poland placed its air force on alert and scrambled fighter aircraft as a precaution because of the scale of the strikes taking place close to its border. Officials later confirmed that Polish airspace had not been violated.
The latest wave of attacks comes at a time when hopes for meaningful peace negotiations remain low. Although Ukraine has continued to call for direct talks between President Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, no significant diplomatic progress has been made. Both sides continue to exchange long range attacks while fighting remains intense along the front lines.
As rescue workers continue searching damaged buildings in Kyiv, thousands of residents are beginning the difficult task of cleaning up shattered homes and businesses. The overnight assault has once again demonstrated the heavy human cost of the war, with civilians continuing to face the greatest danger as the conflict enters another period of escalating violence.