Russian ballistic missiles and drones struck Ukraine’s capital overnight, killing at least nine people and injuring 28 others, including four children, Ukrainian authorities said on Saturday, as Moscow intensified its long-range attacks across the country.
Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said the attack struck five districts of Kyiv, damaging apartment buildings, igniting multiple fires and triggering large-scale search-and-rescue operations.
Emergency officials said seven people were killed and 14 injured in the Darniytskyi district, while two others died and eight were wounded in the Solomianskyi district. More than 100 residents were rescued from damaged buildings as firefighters and rescue teams continued clearing debris.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned residents that the city was under ballistic missile attack and urged them to remain in shelters while Ukrainian air defence systems responded to the assault.
Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched a combination of ballistic missiles and attack drones during the overnight barrage. Officials said emergency crews remained at several impact sites as authorities assessed the full extent of the damage.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces targeted facilities linked to Ukraine’s military-industrial complex and logistics infrastructure in the Kyiv region. The ministry also claimed Russian air defences intercepted 274 Ukrainian drones.
The latest attack is part of a sustained campaign of long-range missile and drone strikes that has increasingly targeted urban centres far from the front lines. Both Russia and Ukraine have expanded their use of long-range weapons as the war enters another phase of attrition.
The United Nations has warned that civilian casualties in Ukraine have risen sharply in recent months. UN data previously identified June as the deadliest month for civilians since April 2022, highlighting the worsening humanitarian impact of the conflict despite continued international diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire.
Saturday’s strike adds to mounting concerns over the safety of civilians in Ukraine, with repeated attacks on residential areas placing additional pressure on emergency services and critical infrastructure.
