A massive overnight Russian offensive involving missiles and drones has left at least 16 people dead and more than 40 injured in Kyiv and the surrounding areas.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the Russian military used dozens of cruise, ballistic and hypersonic missiles, as well as 168 drones. Ukrainian authorities said air defenses managed to neutralize around 90% of the drones and most of the cruise missiles.
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The Air Force did not disclose how many ballistic missiles were launched or whether any of them were intercepted by defense systems.
The most severe damage in the capital was reported in the Solomiansky district, where the upper floors of a nine-story building collapsed. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko called for Friday to be declared a day of mourning.
Strikes were also reported in two other areas of the city. A school and a children’s hospital were among the buildings damaged, while non-residential premises and warehouses were also damaged.
The Russian Defense Ministry said that the attacks involving aircraft and drones targeted Kyiv and the surrounding regions. According to Moscow’s account, the sites hit included facilities producing drone components, a military warehouse and a supply center.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized his country’s allies, saying they had failed to replenish air-defense missile stocks on time. He warned that the shortage of these munitions was costing lives.
In recent months, Russia has increased its use of ballistic missiles. For this reason, Zelensky has repeatedly called on Ukraine’s partners to send interceptor missiles for Patriot systems.
According to the Ukrainian president, Patriot is the only system available to Ukraine that can shoot down a ballistic missile.
“Interceptor missiles for Patriot systems have still not been replaced, and they are needed every day,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram. “Every additional missile saves the lives of our people,” he stressed.
