Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone assault on Kyiv early Wednesday, resulting in at least 17 fatalities and injuring 44 others, marking one of the deadliest strikes on Ukraine's capital this year.
President Volodymyr Zelensky lamented the absence of effective missile interceptions during the overnight attack, highlighting delays in receiving US-made Patriot interceptors from allies as a key factor behind the high casualties and destruction.
The Russian Defence Ministry stated that the strikes targeted logistics hubs and supply centres around Kyiv, which were involved in storing and distributing weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles. It also claimed to have hit three cargo ships near the Black Sea port of Odesa transporting military equipment.
Kyiv's Mayor Vitali Klitschko expressed concern that some victims might be trapped under rubble caused by the bombardment.
Details of the Attack
- Russian forces launched 24 ballistic missiles and 4 anti-ship missiles at Kyiv.
- 115 drones were deployed, with Ukraine's air defence intercepting 98 of them.
- Targets included residential buildings, a railway station, warehouses, and military supply centres.
In recent weeks, Russia has intensified attacks on Kyiv, while Ukraine has also escalated strikes on Russian civilian infrastructure, including power facilities.
Separately, a drone crashed into a warehouse of Russian e-commerce company Wildberries in the Tula region, causing a fire and injuring one person, according to regional authorities. The facility was evacuated as a precaution.
Ukraine has previously targeted warehouses operated by Wildberries, and recent strikes in the Moscow and Krasnodar regions have resulted in multiple casualties.
The conflict has also seen disturbing incidents such as a video showing a man being chased by a drone in Kherson, which Ukraine condemned as a deliberate civilian "hunt". Both sides deny intentional attacks on civilians.
