Russia launches massive ballistic missile attack on Kyiv killing one

Russia launched a major ballistic missile attack on Kyiv on Sunday, killing at least one person and wounding 16 others, according to Ukrainian officials. The assault, described by Kyiv as one of the largest since the start of the war, involved a combination of ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, and drones, targeting residential, commercial, and industrial areas across the capital. Explosions echoed through the city for hours, with fires breaking out in five districts and damage reported to buildings including a supermarket, dormitory, and residential complexes.

The attack, which began around 1:30 a.m. Local time, saw Russia deploy 41 missiles and 125 drones, according to Ukrainian air force reports. Of these, 18 missiles and 108 drones were intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses, while 23 missiles and 10 drones struck their targets. The Ukrainian military identified the use of Iskander and Zircon hypersonic missiles, as well as Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missiles. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that at least one person was killed in the Kyiv region, with additional casualties reported in the city’s districts.

Residents described the attack as the most intense in recent weeks. Eleonora Belei, a Kyiv resident, said the strikes were the "scariest night of my life," with explosions occurring "almost every month" but never before so close to her neighborhood. Another resident, Vlad, recounted being injured when a missile blast shattered his balcony door, leaving him unable to flee with his elderly grandmother. Rescue workers pulled four people from a burning private home in the Sviatoshynskyi district, while fires were reported in the Solomyanskyi, Desnianskyi, and Dnipro districts.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the attack "one of the most massive ballistic attacks on Kyiv" since the war began, emphasizing the need for international support. He highlighted the recent Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian infrastructure, including two Wildberries warehouses that killed at least nine people and caused widespread fires. Zelenskyy accused Russia of targeting "significant logistical facilities" and reiterated his call for allies to increase pressure on Moscow. "We need devastating pressure on Moscow to end this terror," said acting Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who described the missile barrage as a "brutal terrorist attack."

Russia’s defense ministry claimed the strikes targeted military facilities, including sites producing drones and missile components. However, Ukrainian officials reported damage to civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings and commercial properties. The attack came as Kyiv faces a critical shortage of Patriot air defense systems, which are its primary means of intercepting ballistic missiles. Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine had shot down 17 ballistic missiles during the assault, suggesting a partial replenishment of its defenses. The U.S. Has reportedly discussed granting Ukraine licenses to produce Patriot interceptors domestically, though details remain unclear.

The assault also intensified tensions within Ukraine. President Zelenskyy’s recent removal of his defense minister sparked protests and internal dissent, with critics accusing him of undermining military momentum. Meanwhile, Russia’s strikes have exacerbated economic strain, with reports of cash transactions rising as mobile internet blackouts disrupt digital payments. The Kremlin faces growing pressure to address fuel shortages and supply chain disruptions, following Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil tankers and refineries.