Russian missile strikes hit multiple areas in Kyiv, killing nine people and injuring 28 others, including four children, local authorities reported on Saturday.
The attacks targeted five districts in the Ukrainian capital, causing extensive damage to residential buildings and vehicles, as well as triggering fires.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko alerted residents via Telegram to seek shelter amid the barrage, stating: "Explosions in the city. Kyiv is under ballistic missile attack. Stay in shelters!" Witnesses described a series of more than ten consecutive explosions that set off car alarms across the city.
The Ukrainian State Emergency Service confirmed that seven people were killed and 14 wounded in the Darnytsky district, while two fatalities and eight injuries occurred in the Solomiansky district, where a five-storey residential building was severely damaged.
Residents expressed fear and uncertainty. One elderly woman described her home as completely shattered, while another said she planned to leave Kyiv, citing safety concerns.
Emergency responders rescued at least 105 people from affected areas, with images showing firefighters battling fires and search teams combing through rubble.
Escalating Conflict and Calls for Enhanced Air Defense
The recent strikes come amid intensified military exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, with Moscow increasing long-range attacks on urban centers. Kyiv has been pressing international partners for enhanced air defense capabilities.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized the critical need for more air and missile defense systems, stating, "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."
Meanwhile, Russia’s defense ministry claimed their forces intercepted 274 Ukrainian drones overnight and reported targeting military-industrial and logistical sites in the Kyiv region.
President Volodymyr Zelensky recently met with US President Donald Trump, with discussions including the potential licensing of Patriot missile production for Ukraine, though Washington remains cautious about such agreements.
