At least two people were killed and more than a dozen others injured after Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, early Thursday, according to Ukrainian authorities.
The overnight assault came after President Volodymyr Zelensky cut short an official visit to Dublin, citing intelligence reports warning of an imminent large-scale Russian strike.
Ukraine’s air force had earlier warned that ballistic missiles were heading towards Kyiv, while residents sought refuge in metro stations and underground shelters as explosions echoed across the city.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that the capital was under attack from both ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, urging residents to remain in shelters.
City authorities said two people were killed and at least 11 others wounded during the bombardment.
The wider Kyiv region was also affected, with Governor Mykola Kalashnyk reporting damage across five districts.
According to Kalashnyk, Russia used a combination of strike drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles in what he described as another massive overnight assault. Emergency services responded to fires at warehouses and a residential property in Bucha district, while homes, vehicles and a student dormitory were also damaged elsewhere in the region.
Journalists in Kyiv reported hearing numerous explosions throughout the night and witnessed emergency responders working at impact sites after large plumes of smoke and flames rose over parts of the city.
Residents sheltering underground described the difficulties of spending the night during repeated air raid alerts.
Speaking before the attack, President Zelensky said intelligence indicated that Russia had been preparing a major strike for some time. He urged Ukrainians to follow air raid warnings and make use of shelters whenever alerts were issued.
The latest bombardment comes as both sides continue to intensify long-range attacks. Ukraine has recently expanded drone strikes targeting military and energy infrastructure inside Russia, while Moscow says it has intercepted hundreds of Ukrainian drones in recent days.
Despite renewed diplomatic efforts led by the United States to broker a ceasefire, the war now in its fifth year continues with no breakthrough in negotiations.
