Russia launched a heavy barrage of missiles and drones on Kyiv early Thursday, killing at least two people, injuring 16, and sparking fires across residential and commercial areas of the Ukrainian capital. The overnight assault came as the United States resumed weapons deliveries to Ukraine, including artillery shells and mobile rocket systems.
According to Ukrainian officials, Russia fired 18 missiles and approximately 400 drones in the latest escalation. “Residential buildings, vehicles, warehouses, and office spaces are on fire,” said Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, on Telegram.
The intense bombardment, part of a growing pattern of nighttime attacks, has put mounting pressure on Ukraine’s overstretched air defense systems and forced thousands of civilians into bomb shelters.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blamed Russia’s evolving tactics, calling them an effort to break Ukrainian morale through terror. “Russia has opted for combined strikes in its campaign to pressure our society,” said Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential office.
Moscow has yet to comment on the latest strikes. However, Russian state media reported that its defense forces intercepted 14 Ukrainian drones overnight.
The renewed attack comes as U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense. On Wednesday, Washington began delivering new shipments of defensive weapons, according to two U.S. officials. Trump envoy Keith Kellogg met with Zelenskyy in Rome ahead of a Ukrainian recovery conference, and further meetings with U.S. officials are scheduled to finalize another round of sanctions against Russia.
Trump has recently expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, criticizing his unwillingness to engage meaningfully in peace talks. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Kuala Lumpur during an ASEAN summit to discuss de-escalation efforts.
Thursday’s attack severely impacted eight out of ten districts in Kyiv. Witnesses described shattered windows, scorched buildings, and cars reduced to rubble. “I turned around and saw my apartment was gone. Then the fire started,” said 25-year-old Karyna Volf, who fled her home just in time. “This is terror. It happens every night when people are asleep.”
The Ukrainian Air Force reported air raid sirens blared for over four hours. A blanket of smoke clouded the early morning sky over Kyiv’s three million residents.
Elsewhere, a Russian airstrike in the eastern town of Kostiantynivka killed three and injured one late Wednesday, according to Ukraine’s emergency services.
As the war grinds on, international attention is focused on the upcoming sanctions package and diplomatic meetings, even as the civilian toll continues to climb.
Reuters/s.s