Russia launches major drone, missile attack on Ukraine

Russia unleashed one of its heaviest bombardments on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, killing at least four people, injuring dozens more, and prompting Poland to scramble jets as swarms of drones and missiles pounded civilian areas overnight.

Kyiv came under intense drone and missile fire early on Sunday, in what independent observers described as one of the largest Russian assaults on the Ukrainian capital and its surrounding region since the start of the full-scale invasion.

Casualties and destruction

At least four people, including a 12-year-old girl, were killed in the capital, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration. Around 10 others were injured. Nearly 20 locations across six districts were damaged, including a five-storey building that suffered partial destruction. Fires also broke out in homes and non-residential buildings, while cars were left damaged.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that a blaze had erupted at a state cardiological hospital as a result of the strikes.

Nationwide assault

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Russia had launched a “massive” attack involving hundreds of drones and missiles. He argued the assault underscored the need for tougher sanctions against Moscow.

“Putin must feel the danger of continuing this war, personally for him, for his friends’ pockets, his economy and his state,” Sybiha wrote on X, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. “That is what can make him end this senseless war.”

Monitoring channels reported that five Russian Tu-95 bombers took off from Murmansk Oblast shortly before 2 a.m. local time, followed by MiG-31K bombers. Ukraine’s Air Force later said further Tu-95s were launched from Engels air base.

Zaporizhzhia and other regions hit

In the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, at least 21 people were injured, including several in a multistorey building directly struck by a missile. Nine houses, 14 high-rises, a school and the production facilities of an enterprise were also damaged, Governor Ivan Fedorov confirmed.

Explosions and drone activity were also reported in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, Sumy and Kyiv Oblast, though preliminary reports there indicated no casualties.

Witness accounts

In Kyiv, drones buzzed overhead as anti-aircraft guns fired for hours, Reuters witnesses said. Loud explosions shook the city, with the bombardment continuing as of 9:15 a.m. local time (06:15 GMT). Residents once again sought refuge in metro stations, some bedding down on makeshift cots or chairs and following updates on their phones.

“Yesterday’s life still smoulders in the windows — someone’s photographs, children’s toys, books,” said Regina Kharchenko, acting head of Zaporizhzhia’s City Council. “People have suffered, and the city is counting its wounds again.”

Regional and international response

Neighbouring Poland closed airspace over two southeastern cities, scrambling fighter jets in response, as it has done previously when Russian strikes neared its border. Earlier this month, Poland shot down Russian drones that crossed into its airspace — marking the first such action by a NATO member during the full-scale invasion.

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