Russia launched a major missile and drone attack on Kyiv early Friday, resulting in five fatalities and at least 34 injuries, including a pregnant woman. The barrage, which involved at least 430 drones and 18 missiles, caused significant damage to apartment buildings and scattered debris across the city.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as calculated to maximize harm to civilians, while Russia claimed it targeted military-industrial and energy facilities. The assault was the largest on Kyiv in nearly three weeks and also affected Odesa and Kharkiv.
In Odesa, Russian drones hit a street in Chornomorsk, killing two and injuring seven. Survivors recounted harrowing experiences of near misses and destruction to their homes.
Eight of Kyiv's ten districts reported damage, with emergency crews battling fires in apartment blocks and widespread debris. The attack comes amidst ongoing diplomatic efforts for peace that have so far been unsuccessful.
Ukrainian officials emphasized that repeated damage to homes contradicts Russian claims of targeting only military sites. Ukraine utilized its American-made Patriot air defense systems, shooting down 14 missiles, and President Zelenskyy has appealed for more such systems.
In response to the Kyiv attack, Russia claimed its air defense systems intercepted over 200 Ukrainian drones across several Russian regions, including Crimea. Ukraine has been domestically developing and deploying drones and missiles to target Russian oil refineries and manufacturing plants.
Russia stated its overnight strike on Kyiv was in retaliation for Ukraine's alleged targeting of civilian facilities with modified Neptune missiles. Drone debris in Russia's Krasnodar region damaged an oil depot and coastal structures, injuring three crew members of a civilian vessel and several residents.
Unconfirmed reports also suggested an oil refinery was hit in the Saratov region.
