Russian forces launched a large overnight drone and missile attack on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, killing at least eight people and injuring 34 others. The strikes damaged around three dozen locations across the city, while a direct hit caused part of a residential apartment building to collapse, leaving emergency crews searching through the rubble for survivors.
The assault triggered fires and widespread destruction across several districts of Kyiv. A hotel caught fire on Shevchenko Boulevard, while shattered windows, damaged vehicles and destroyed buildings were reported in multiple neighbourhoods. Authorities also said paramedics and ambulance drivers were among the injured, with several residents believed to have remained trapped inside damaged buildings.
As explosions echoed across the capital, thousands of civilians rushed into underground shelters carrying children, pets and essential belongings. Air raid alerts covered most of Ukraine during the attack, which officials described as Russia’s heaviest assault since mid-June. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy cut short his visit to Dublin after earlier warning of a possible large-scale overnight strike.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Poland briefly scrambled fighter jets as a precaution before confirming that no violation of its airspace had occurred. Finland also temporarily introduced an aviation restriction zone over the eastern Gulf of Finland before lifting it later. These measures reflected growing regional concern over the intensity of the latest wave of attacks near NATO territory.
The renewed bombardment came as efforts to revive peace negotiations remained stalled. Zelenskiy has proposed direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war, but Moscow has rejected the offer. Russia said it targeted military and energy facilities using long-range missiles and drones, describing the strikes as retaliation for alleged Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure. Both Russia and Ukraine continue to deny deliberately targeting civilians.