Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv overnight into Thursday killing at least 17 people and injuring more than 90 officials said.
The attack involving ballistic and cruise missiles alongside drones, damaged buildings and infrastructure at 30 locations across the city, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said 20 residential buildings were hit. In the Darnytskyi district, six floors of a nine-story building collapsed. Rescuers also worked to free people trapped in a damaged building in the Desnianskyi district and in a private residence in the Sviatoshynskyi district.
Fires broke out in several districts, including on the roof of a 16-story building in Holosiivskyi. The Emergency Service deployed nearly 500 personnel and 100 vehicles including a helicopter in response.
The strikes came after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had warned of a possible attack. Many residents sheltered in metro stations as explosions shook the capital for hours.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged Ukraine's allies to speed up the delivery of air defense systems, calling it a "night of horror." He rejected Russian claims that the strikes were retaliation for Ukrainian attacks, saying Ukraine was exercising its right to self-defense under the UN Charter.
Moscow said it targeted military, energy and airport facilities in response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure. The attack comes as Ukraine has intensified long-range drone strikes on Russian military and energy sites, causing fuel shortages inside Russia.
