In a significant escalation, Russia launched a comprehensive missile and drone assault on Kyiv early Monday, resulting in at least nine fatalities and injuring 46 individuals, including five children, according to Ukrainian officials. Authorities cautioned that the casualty figures might increase as rescue operations continued into the day.
The attack caused extensive damage to residential structures throughout the Ukrainian capital. Emergency services reported that at least 15 apartment buildings suffered damage or were destroyed. Among these was a nine-story residential block in Kyiv’s Podilskyi district, where rescue teams were actively working to rescue people trapped beneath the debris.
Additionally, another fatality was reported in the Bucha district, situated to the northwest of Kyiv. Russia’s Defense Ministry acknowledged the “massive” strike, stating that it involved long-range missiles and drones aimed at military, energy, and airfield infrastructure in Kyiv and several other regions across Ukraine.
This assault follows closely on the heels of another major Russian attack that claimed at least 27 lives in Kyiv, marking it as one of the most lethal incidents in the city this year. The relentless attacks underscore the ongoing intensity of the conflict in the region.
Amidst these developments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that combat persists around Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk region, countering Russian claims that the strategic town has been captured. The situation remains tense as both sides continue to vie for control in this key area.