At least nine people were killed and 28 others injured, including four children, after Russian missile strikes hit multiple parts of Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, on Saturday, authorities said.
The attacks damaged residential buildings, vehicles and other infrastructure across five districts, triggering fires and rescue operations.
Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said emergency responders rescued 105 people from affected areas as search and recovery efforts continued.
Earlier, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned residents of an incoming ballistic missile attack.
“Explosions in the city. Kyiv is under ballistic missile attack. Stay in shelters!” he wrote on Telegram.
Journalists in the city reported hearing more than 10 explosions in quick succession, with the blasts setting off car alarms across several neighbourhoods.
Russia’s Defence Ministry confirmed it carried out what it described as a “massive strike” targeting military-industrial facilities and logistics centres in the Kyiv region.
The worst-hit area was Kyiv’s Darnytsky district, where seven people were killed and 14 others injured after several buildings and vehicles were damaged.
In Solomiansky district, two people died and eight others were wounded when a five-storey residential building was struck.
One resident, 75-year-old Kateryna Kravchenko, described the destruction of her home.
“Everything was smashed, the windows, everything. I can barely stand. I don’t know how I’m going to get through all this.”
Another resident, identified only as Oksana, said she planned to leave the area.
“You can’t stay here after something like this. What guarantee is there that it won’t happen again?”
Images released by Ukraine’s emergency service showed firefighters battling flames while rescue workers searched through piles of rubble.
The latest attack comes as Russia and Ukraine intensify cross-border strikes. Russia said its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed 274 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Meanwhile, a logistics facility belonging to Russian online retailer Wildberries caught fire in Volgograd following an overnight attack. Ukraine has previously accused the company of storing drone components and supporting the Russian military.
The renewed attacks came days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with US President Donald Trump to discuss military assistance.
Following the meeting, Zelensky said Trump had agreed to license the production of Patriot missiles in Ukraine. However, Trump later said Washington would have to be “very careful” before approving such a move.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the latest strikes underscored the country’s urgent need for additional air defence systems.
“It is the battle for the skies that will define the trajectory of this war. The stronger the air shield over Ukraine, the closer peace becomes.”
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