Kyiv suffered one of the most intense ballistic missile attacks of the war, with more than 40 projectiles striking the capital and leaving streets littered with rubble and torched vehicles. Ukrainian officials stated that at least six people were killed and dozens more injured in the overnight assault, which saw Russia launch a total of 41 missiles and 125 drones, the majority aimed at Kyiv.
Residents described a terrifying barrage of explosions that began around 1:30 a.m. local time and continued for over five hours. Many spent the night in shelters, corridors, and underground stations as successive waves of missiles approached the city. "The missiles just kept coming one after another, the explosions were powerful, it was horrible," said Kyiv resident Ganna Zagorodnia. "I thought that life was just about to end."
The strikes caused extensive damage across multiple districts, hitting residential buildings, industrial facilities, offices, and vehicles. Footage from the aftermath revealed shattered windows, damaged facades, and debris strewn across streets, with large craters visible near affected buildings. Emergency crews worked throughout Sunday to clear debris and secure damaged areas.
Falling missile and drone debris also impacted parked vehicles and surrounding structures. In the Shevchenkivskyi district, a high-rise building caught fire and was evacuated; emergency crews later recovered a body from the site. Firefighters continued to battle hotspots and assist residents whose homes were damaged.
Despite the scale of the attack, Ukraine's air defenses reported destroying or suppressing a number of incoming missiles and drones. However, officials have repeatedly warned that existing air defense systems are strained by the frequency and intensity of Russian attacks. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that most of the missiles were directed at Kyiv and reiterated his urgent plea for more robust air defense capabilities, particularly Western-supplied systems like Patriot batteries, which are considered highly effective against ballistic missiles.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the attack as a "brutal terrorist attack" and urged allies to increase pressure on Moscow and bolster Ukraine's air defenses. "We need devastating pressure on Moscow to end this terror," he stated.
The assault on Kyiv comes amid a recent uptick in Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory. On Saturday, Ukrainian drones targeted a major logistics hub for Wildberries, dubbed the 'Russian Amazon,' and another warehouse complex in Tambov, resulting in seven deaths and over two dozen injuries. Additionally, a key oil hub depot in Noginsk was hit, causing an explosion and the evacuation of a nearby maternity hospital. Analysts suggest these strikes are part of Ukraine's effort to make Russian citizens feel the war's consequences and may be a response to Russian attacks on Ukrainian postal infrastructure.
