Dozens of Russian missiles pound Kyiv in major attack

Kyiv endured one of Russia's most significant ballistic missile assaults, with a relentless five-hour barrage striking the Ukrainian capital. Officials reported that around 40 Iskander-M and hypersonic Zircon missiles were launched, causing widespread damage and casualties.

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According to preliminary information, one person was, sadly, killed as a result of the attack.

The attack commenced early in the morning, with air raid sirens sounding before a series of powerful explosions rocked the city. Residential buildings, offices, and a dormitory were hit, and a three-story building in the historic Shevchenkivsky district caught fire. Rescuers worked to free people trapped inside, recovering at least one body. Seven people were reported wounded, with some injured by a massive blast wave that caused a ceiling collapse in a metro station.

This latest assault comes amid a prolonged period of daily drone and missile attacks by Russia since its full-scale invasion in 2022. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly appealed to Western partners for enhanced air defense capabilities, specifically requesting advanced US-made Patriot interceptors to counter ballistic missile threats. Ukraine's own interceptor supplies are reportedly dwindling.

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In response to Russian strikes on our civilian infrastructure and on our cities and communities, two major logistics facilities were hit – in the Moscow and Tambov regions.

The intensified attacks occur against a backdrop of domestic political tension in Kyiv, following Zelenskyy's decision to dismiss the defense minister. Simultaneously, Ukraine has also targeted Russian territory, with recent drone strikes hitting warehouses in the Moscow and Tambov regions, causing fatalities and fires. Zelenskyy stated these facilities were used to supply components for drone production.

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The Ukrainian president alleged the centres were used “to supply sanctioned components for drone production and navigation equipment”.