Russian missile and drone strikes on Kyiv killed at least 17 people and injured 44 others in an overnight assault, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on Wednesday. The attacks, which included 28 missiles and 115 drones, struck 26 locations across the capital and surrounding region, according to Ukraine’s air force. No missiles were intercepted amid a reported shortage of air defense munitions, Zelenskyy stated.
Residential areas and civilian infrastructure hit
Kyiv’s military administration confirmed strikes on residential buildings, warehouses, and logistics facilities, including a brewery and a railway station. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that fires broke out in multiple districts, with rescue teams searching for survivors under rubble. One warehouse near the city center was destroyed, and an ammonia leak was reported but contained by emergency crews.
Russia denies targeting civilians; Ukraine blames air defense gaps
Russian strikes have intensified in recent weeks, with Kyiv repeatedly urging allies to supply US-made Patriot interceptors to counter ballistic missile threats. Zelenskyy emphasized that interceptors could have prevented the casualties, stating: “Ballistic missile interceptors—these are what could have saved the lives of those who died today.” Ukraine has also faced criticism for its drone strikes on Russian civilian infrastructure, including a recent attack on a Wildberries warehouse in the Moscow region that killed five people.
Expanded long-range attacks on both sides
Both nations have escalated long-range strikes, with Russia increasing missile use by over 100% in July compared to previous months, according to AFP analysis. Ukraine has intensified drone attacks on Russian oil and gas facilities, while Russia has targeted Ukrainian logistics and energy sites. Separately, Ukraine condemned a video showing a civilian allegedly chased by a drone in Kherson, calling it a deliberate “hunt” of non-combatants.
Air raid alerts and ongoing damage assessment
Air raid sirens in Kyiv lasted over an hour as waves of ballistic missiles struck the city and its outskirts, including the Bucha, Brovary, and Fastiv districts. Authorities continue to assess damage, with fears of additional casualties as search operations proceed.