Russian forces launched a large-scale assault on Kyiv early Friday, killing four and injuring 27. The attack ignited fires and damaged homes across multiple districts, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Emergency crews struggled to recover two bodies trapped under debris as they worked through wreckage and flames.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack as “a deliberate strike designed to cause maximum civilian suffering.” He said Russia used 430 drones and 18 missiles, including ballistic and aeroballistic weapons.
Nine people, including a pregnant woman, were hospitalized after powerful explosions echoed throughout the capital. Among the victims were two children, aged seven and ten. Officials reported damage to at least 11 residential high-rises.
Fires Spread as Debris Rains Over Kyiv
Debris from intercepted missiles sparked multiple fires in Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi and Holosiivskyi districts. Flames spread through an open field near a medical center and inside a commercial building, according to emergency officials. Firefighters battled blazes while rescue teams searched for survivors under collapsed structures.
Authorities urged residents to stay in shelters until the air raid alerts ended. City officials warned that power and water disruptions could follow due to infrastructure damage. Regional head Mykola Kalashnyk confirmed that Russian strikes also hit nearby towns, wounding at least six civilians.
In Bila Tserkva, a 55-year-old man suffered severe burns and was hospitalized. “Emergency crews continue to clear rubble and provide medical help,” Kalashnyk said.
Russian Forces Press Forward Despite Heavy Losses
The assault on Kyiv coincided with Russia’s recent advances in southern Ukraine. Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from several villages in the Zaporizhzhia region after intense fighting. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed control of nine settlements in Donetsk, eight in Zaporizhzhia, seven in Dnipropetrovsk, and five in Kharkiv over the past month.
Despite these territorial gains, Moscow’s campaign has drained its troops and equipment. The Institute for the Study of War reported that Russia’s siege of Pokrovsk remains slow because commanders are overextending their forces.
Analysts said elite drone operators and special units have joined the battle, yet progress remains limited. Ukraine continues to resist, slowing Russia’s push despite mounting pressure on multiple fronts.
