Russian forces launched a large-scale overnight missile and drone assault on Ukraine early Tuesday, killing at least nine people and injuring nearly 100 others across multiple cities.
The attack comes amid escalating tensions between the two countries and follows warnings from both Kyiv and Moscow of intensified military operations.
The strikes targeted the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, and several surrounding regions, combining drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles in one of the most extensive attacks in recent months.
The bombardment caused widespread destruction to residential and commercial infrastructure, triggered multiple fires, and left emergency services scrambling to rescue survivors.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the assault as a “massive enemy attack” as rescue teams worked through the night in several districts of the capital.
Authorities fear that additional victims may still be trapped beneath the rubble of a partially collapsed apartment building in Kyiv’s Podilsky district, which was reportedly struck in a “double-tap” attack.
“Preliminary reports indicate that there are people trapped under the rubble,” said Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s city military administration, in a statement posted on Telegram.
Emergency crews were deployed across the city as fires engulfed damaged buildings and debris littered residential neighbourhoods. Officials reported that at least 58 people were injured in Kyiv alone, including children. Power outages were also reported in parts of the capital, prompting authorities to activate emergency shelters.
According to reports, a suspected missile strike hit a 24-storey residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district, sparking a major fire. Another blaze erupted in a nine-storey building in Podil after debris struck its roof. Several other facilities, including a clinic and a kindergarten complex, were also damaged in the attacks.
The surrounding Kyiv region was not spared. Regional governor Mykola Kalashynk said towns and villages across the area came under sustained attack.
“Throughout the night, the enemy launched massive attacks on the Kyiv region using drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles. Our peaceful towns and villages were once again under attack,” Kalashynk said.
The strikes came just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia could intensify its attacks in the coming days.
“The intelligence warnings regarding Russian strikes remain in effect. A massive strike may happen, they have prepared it,” Zelenskyy said during his nightly address on Monday.
The escalation follows recent threats from Russia, which vowed to conduct “consistent and systematic strikes” on Ukraine’s defence infrastructure in Kyiv. Moscow also advised foreign nationals to leave the Ukrainian capital amid the heightened security situation.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the campaign would target facilities involved in the design, manufacture and operation of drones allegedly used by Ukraine with assistance from NATO specialists.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has continued its own long-range attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy recently claimed Ukrainian forces had struck 15 Russian oil refineries between January and May, significantly reducing Russia’s refining capacity and affecting fuel exports.
