Russia launched a massive coordinated assault on Kyiv early Friday, killing four people and injuring 27 others. The attack triggered widespread fires and destroyed homes across several districts, Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed.
Klitschko said rescue crews continued searching through debris but could not yet recover two bodies trapped under rubble. Emergency workers fought flames and rushed the wounded to hospitals.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the assault, calling it a “calculated act of terror” against civilians. He said Russia used 430 drones and 18 missiles, including both ballistic and aeroballistic types.
Residential Districts Burn as Kyiv Endures Heavy Bombardment
Nine people, including a pregnant woman, were hospitalized after the explosions. Two children, aged 7 and 10, were among the victims. At least 11 multi-storey buildings were struck, damaging entire neighborhoods and forcing residents to flee.
In Shevchenkivskyi and Holosiivskyi districts, falling debris ignited fires near a medical center and inside a commercial building. City officials urged residents to stay in shelters until the air raid alert ended. Authorities warned of potential blackouts and water shortages.
Outside the capital, Russian missiles struck critical infrastructure and private homes. Regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk said six people were hurt, including a 55-year-old man who suffered severe burns in Bila Tserkva.
Ukraine’s Air Force reported additional Russian strikes across multiple regions as Moscow intensified its offensive nationwide.
Moscow Expands Offensive Despite Heavy Losses
Russian forces continue pressing their advantage in southern Ukraine. Ukrainian troops recently withdrew from several villages in Zaporizhzhia after intense battles.
In the past month, Russia has claimed control of nine settlements in Donetsk, eight in Zaporizhzhia, seven in Dnipropetrovsk, and five in Kharkiv. Despite those advances, the offensive has exacted a heavy toll on Russian troops and armored vehicles.
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War said Russia’s siege of Pokrovsk has stalled. The think tank reported that Moscow’s commanders have spread resources too thinly, even while deploying elite drone units and special forces.
Zelenskyy vowed that Ukraine would continue to defend its cities and people, declaring that every missile and drone attack only strengthens the nation’s resolve to resist.
