Key facts
- Russia launched its largest air attack of the war on Ukraine, using drones and missiles.
- The attack targeted Kyiv, hitting the main government building, a hotel, residential areas, and a historic cathedral.
- At least five people were killed and 28 injured in Kyiv.
- Other cities including Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, and Odesa were also struck.
- Ukrainian air defense systems intercepted a majority of the incoming projectiles.
- President Zelenskyy called for increased international pressure on Russia and enhanced military aid for Ukraine.
Russia launched its largest air assault of the war on Ukraine overnight, targeting the capital Kyiv with a barrage of drones and missiles. The attack, which Ukrainian officials described as a deliberate crime, resulted in fires, significant damage, and casualties across the country.
In Kyiv, the main government building and a hotel on Shevchenko Boulevard caught fire, with debris scattered across central and suburban districts. Residential buildings were also hit, leading to dozens of residents gathering outside their damaged homes. The historic Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, an 11th-century cathedral and UNESCO World Heritage site, was among the damaged structures, with its roof catching fire before emergency responders extinguished the blaze.
Ukrainian officials reported at least five people killed and 28 injured in Kyiv, including an infant and a young woman in the Darnytskyi district. Other cities such as Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, and Odesa also experienced strikes. The Ukrainian air force stated that its defense units successfully downed a substantial number of the incoming projectiles, intercepting 751 drones and four missiles out of Russia's reported 805 drones and 13 missiles. Later reports indicated Russia launched 70 missiles and 611 drones, with 50 missiles and 582 drones suppressed.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, calling them a prolongation of the war and a crime, and reiterated his appeal to allies for stronger air defense systems and more decisive action against Russia. He spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron to coordinate diplomatic efforts. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk criticized attempts to appease Putin, stating that a strong reaction is necessary. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with Moscow and is reportedly working on security guarantees for Ukraine.