At least 15 people have died and dozens more were wounded after one of the largest Russian bombardments on Kyiv since the full-scale invasion began over three years ago, officials confirmed Tuesday.
The overnight attacks targeted multiple areas across the Ukrainian capital, with Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reporting that 440 drones and 32 missiles were launched against the country. Moscow’s defence ministry claimed its air defence units intercepted and destroyed 147 Ukrainian drones during the same period.
The strikes on Kyiv persisted for more than nine hours, forcing residents to seek shelter underground from just before midnight until after sunrise. A ballistic missile struck a nine-storey apartment building, and overall, 27 city districts experienced varying degrees of shelling.
Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko described the scene on social media as “waking up in utter nightmare: people trapped under rubble and full buildings collapsed.” Rescue teams remain active in efforts to locate and free those trapped.
The city was rocked by loud explosions and the constant firing of mobile Ukrainian air defence units attempting to shoot down incoming drones. However, ongoing sirens and new waves of attacks hampered emergency responders.
In recent weeks, Russia has escalated its air campaign against Ukrainian cities by deploying large waves of drones and decoys designed to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defence capabilities. Kyiv has conducted counterattacks, though direct negotiations between the two sides have failed to yield a ceasefire or major breakthroughs.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strikes as “pure terrorism,” accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of continuing the war “solely because he can afford to.” Zelensky called on the international community not to ignore the conflict, stating, “It is the terrorists who should feel the pain, not normal, peaceful people.”
Drone attacks also struck the southern city of Odesa, killing one person and injuring at least ten others, according to Klymenko.
Zelensky had planned to meet with former US President Donald Trump during the G7 summit in Canada to discuss further support for Ukraine. However, Trump cut short his stay amid the escalating Middle East crisis, which could affect Ukraine’s strategic and military assistance efforts.
The conflict shows no signs of abating as both sides continue to exchange fire, with Kyiv bearing the brunt of intensified air attacks.
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