A night of relentless explosions and air raid sirens turned large parts of Kyiv into scenes of devastation as Russia launched one of its biggest aerial assaults on Ukraine in recent months. Ukrainian authorities said around 600 drones and 90 missiles were fired during the attack, overwhelming parts of the country despite air defense systems intercepting many incoming projectiles.
Videos circulating online captured the moment a cruise missile slammed into central Kyiv, producing a blinding flash followed by a massive explosion. Residents across the capital rushed into metro stations and underground shelters as repeated blasts echoed through the city through the night.
According to Ukrainian officials, at least four people were killed while dozens suffered injuries. Residential buildings, schools, markets, and business centers were damaged in Kyiv and several other regions.
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Business district reduced to rubble
According to NDTV, one of the worst-hit areas was near the Lukianivska metro station, where a business center and nearby market were reportedly flattened in the strike. Ukrainian media outlet Euromaidan Press reported that a small café in the area, which had already been rebuilt multiple times after earlier attacks, was once again destroyed.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure rather than military facilities. In a post on X, he said several Ukrainian regions, including Cherkasy, Kharkiv, Odesa, Poltava, Sumy, and Zhytomyr, also came under attack overnight.
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Zelenskyy says Russia used Oreshnik missile
According to NDTV, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed Russia used the Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile during the assault. The weapon, first used by Russia in late 2024, is capable of travelling at speeds nearly ten times faster than sound and is reportedly designed to destroy deep underground bunkers and fortified facilities.
The missile was previously deployed against the Ukrainian city of Dnipro and later in the western Lviv region. Ukrainian officials believe its latest use signals a further escalation in Moscow’s military campaign.
Zelenskyy condemned the strikes as attacks on ordinary civilians and accused Russia of intentionally targeting public infrastructure, including schools, markets, and water facilities.
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Moscow calls strike a response operation
According to NDTV, Russia’s Defence Ministry later confirmed that the Oreshnik missile system had been used along with other long-range weapons. Moscow claimed the strikes targeted Ukrainian military command centres, air bases, and defence industry facilities, though it did not specify exact locations.
The Kremlin described the assault as retaliation for recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian-controlled territories in eastern Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier warned of a strong response following strikes in occupied regions.
