Key facts
- Russia launched ballistic missiles and drones at Kyiv on Thursday evening.
- Explosions were heard across multiple districts of the capital.
- Ukrainian air defense forces engaged the incoming threats.
- Missile debris fell in the Darnytsky district, causing a warehouse fire.
- Several non-residential sites and a home were hit, with casualties reported across Ukraine.
- The attack occurred shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of a major Russian assault.
Russia launched ballistic missiles and drones at Kyiv on Thursday evening, resulting in multiple explosions across the capital as Ukrainian air defense forces attempted to intercept the incoming threats. Missile debris fell in the Darnytsky district, igniting a warehouse fire and hitting non-residential sites and a home, according to city officials. The attacks followed a warning from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about a potential major overnight assault and came after a significant strike on August 20 that killed at least 15 people.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko urged residents to seek shelter as blasts rocked the city. The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed the use of ballistic missiles. In recent weeks, Russia has frequently targeted Kyiv with such weapons, which are increasingly difficult for Ukraine to intercept due to limited supplies of advanced interceptor missiles. On August 20, Russia reportedly combined ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones in an effort to cause maximum damage to civilian infrastructure.
Earlier on Thursday, Russian air strikes killed at least 13 people across Ukraine, including one in Kyiv. President Zelenskyy stated that Russia launched over 70 missiles and more than 280 drones overnight, with air defenses intercepting a significant number. Poland, a NATO member, scrambled fighter jets to protect its airspace in response to nearby Russian attacks. Zelenskyy has appealed to international partners for more air defense missiles, highlighting the critical need for such support.