Russian drone barrage hits Kyiv, injures 14 and causes widespread damage

Russia launched an overnight drone assault on Kyiv, injuring at least 14 people and causing fires and damage across the capital, Ukrainian officials said early Friday. Twelve of the injured were taken to hospital, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

It's reported that the attack lasted over eight hours, and affected six of Kyiv's ten districts on both sides of the Dnipro River.

Falling drone debris ignited a fire at a medical facility in the Holosiivskyi district. Kyiv's railway infrastructure was also damaged, prompting train delays and diversions, said state rail operator Ukrzaliznytsia.

The assault is part of an intensified wave of Russian strikes on the city in recent weeks. Kyiv officials say residential areas were among the main targets. Residents reported hearing multiple explosions and continuous gunfire from air defences throughout the night.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said that drone activity was detected in all districts and said attacks are ongoing.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said his phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday made no headway in ending the war. The Kremlin maintained it would continue pushing to resolve the conflict's "root causes".

Earlier this week, Washington paused some key weapons deliveries to Ukraine, raising concerns in Kyiv about the country's capacity to defend against increasing Russian assaults. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he hopes to discuss the issue with Trump soon.

Both Moscow and Kyiv deny intentionally targeting civilians, though thousands, mostly Ukrainians have been killed since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

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