Kyiv was hit by a fresh wave of Russian drone and missile strikes early Friday morning, igniting multiple fires and damaging infrastructure in one of the most intense attacks on the Ukrainian capital in recent weeks. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that emergency crews were deployed across several districts after explosions rocked the city before dawn.
“Kyiv is under attack again. There are fires in residential buildings and warehouses,” Klitschko said on Telegram. He added that air defense systems had been activated and managed to intercept some of the incoming threats, though others made impact and caused damage.
Ukraine’s air force reported that the attack involved a combination of Shahed-type drones and cruise missiles, launched from both land-based systems and aircraft. The barrage appeared to target not only residential zones but also energy infrastructure and logistical hubs.
Preliminary information indicated no fatalities, though several people sustained injuries and were treated on-site. Footage shared by residents showed large fireballs and columns of smoke rising from industrial buildings in the city’s western suburbs.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko stated that emergency response teams were working to control the blazes and assess structural damage. Authorities also warned that unexploded ordnance may remain in some locations and urged residents to avoid damaged areas.
This latest assault comes amid ongoing Russian pressure on Ukraine’s energy and defense capabilities as the war drags into its third year. Military analysts believe the timing is linked to Russia’s broader campaign to degrade Ukraine’s infrastructure ahead of a potential summer offensive.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, stating: “Once again, Russia chooses terror over diplomacy. But our resolve remains unbroken. Every drone they send strengthens our unity and resistance.”
Ukrainian air defenses, bolstered in recent months by Western-supplied systems including Patriots and IRIS-T, have improved interception rates. However, the sheer volume and frequency of Russia’s attacks continue to strain the system and inflict periodic damage.
Meanwhile, officials reported that other cities in central and eastern Ukraine also came under fire overnight, with air raid sirens activated in Dnipro, Poltava, and Kharkiv.
The international community has condemned the renewed aggression. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called the strikes “reprehensible” and reiterated the alliance’s support for Ukraine’s right to self-defense.
As Ukraine braces for more assaults, Kyiv authorities are urging residents to remain alert, stay close to shelters, and adhere to public safety instructions. The government continues to assess damage while maintaining its focus on strengthening defenses and accelerating foreign military aid.
Source: Reuters
