Kyiv endured one of Russia's largest ballistic missile attacks since the full-scale invasion began, resulting in at least six fatalities and numerous injuries. Ukrainian officials reported that over 40 ballistic and hypersonic missiles were launched, with most targeting the capital. The barrage commenced overnight, with residents awoken by air raid sirens before a series of explosions echoed across the city.
Residents described a continuous stream of missiles, creating powerful and terrifying explosions. Many sought shelter in basements and underground stations as successive waves of projectiles approached. The strikes caused widespread destruction, damaging residential buildings, industrial facilities, offices, and vehicles. Footage from the aftermath shows shattered windows, damaged facades, and debris scattered across streets, with emergency crews working to clear affected areas. Large craters were visible near damaged structures.
In the Shevchenkivskyi district, a high-rise building caught fire, leading to its evacuation. Emergency crews recovered a body from the site. By Sunday morning, firefighters were still working to extinguish hotspots and assist residents whose homes were damaged. Local authorities are continuing to assess the full extent of the destruction.
Despite the intensity of the assault, Ukraine's air defenses successfully intercepted or suppressed a number of the incoming missiles and drones. However, officials have repeatedly highlighted that existing air defense systems are strained by the frequency and scale of Russian attacks. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated calls for enhanced air defense capabilities, specifically mentioning protection against ballistic missiles as a top priority. Western-supplied systems, such as Patriot batteries, are considered the most effective against such threats.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged allies to increase pressure on Moscow and bolster Ukraine's air defense. He described the attack as a "brutal terrorist attack" and called for strong and "devastating pressure on Moscow to end this terror."
These attacks on Kyiv occurred amidst other recent strikes. On Saturday, Ukrainian drones targeted a major Wildberries logistics hub in Russia, causing significant smoke plumes. In Tambov, seven people were killed and over two dozen injured in an attack on another warehouse complex owned by the online retailer. A key oil hub depot in Noginsk also exploded and caught fire following an attack, leading to the evacuation of a nearby maternity hospital. Analysts suggest these strikes on Russia's e-commerce infrastructure are part of Ukraine's strategy to demonstrate the war's consequences to Russian citizens and may be in response to previous Russian attacks on Ukrainian postal hubs.