The night sky over Ukraine exploded with fire and fury. Russia launched one of its biggest air attacks since the war began, unleashing 550 drones and missiles across the country. Kyiv, the capital, bore the brunt of this fierce assault. At least 23 people were hurt, and homes across the city were smashed.
Kyiv officials described a night of terror. Drone attacks hammered the city for hours. Emergency crews fought fires at damaged buildings and cars. The city’s railway system was hit hard, causing train delays and reroutes for thousands of travelers.
Ukrainian Air Force reports painted a grim picture. Air raid alerts blared for over eight hours straight. Russia fired 539 drones and 11 missiles at Ukrainian land. They stated the main target for this massive strike was Ukraine’s capital city.
Widespread Damage and Human Cost
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko shared details of the chaos on Telegram. Fourteen injured people needed hospital care. Six out of ten Kyiv districts, spread across both sides of the Dnieper River, reported damage. The river effectively splits the city in two. Falling drone pieces even sparked a fire at a medical facility in the Holosiivskyi district.
This recent attack is part of a pattern. Russian air raids on Kyiv have been growing more intense in recent weeks. Some have been among the deadliest since the conflict started.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to calm the storm seem to be going nowhere. Former U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone. Trump later said their discussion on ending the war yielded no progress. Russia, for its part, stated it would keep fighting until it achieves its goals and fixes the core issues behind the conflict.
Shifting Sands of Aid and Diplomacy
Ukraine is also facing new worries about its defenses. The United States decided earlier this week to halt some crucial weapon shipments. Ukraine warned that this move would weaken its ability to fend off strong air attacks and make advances on the battlefield. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he hoped to speak with Trump soon about getting U.S. arms flowing again.
Beyond the capital, eastern Ukraine also faced attacks. Late Thursday, Russia shelled Pokrovsk and nearby areas. This region has been a key target for Russia for months.
Ukrainian defenses worked hard to counter the onslaught. Ukraine’s Air Force reported that it destroyed 478 Russian airborne weapons during the night. They also noted enemy air attacks in eight locations across the country, where 9 missiles and 63 drones were observed.
Both sides deny intentionally targeting civilians in this brutal war. Yet, thousands of ordinary people have died since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Most of those killed have been Ukrainians caught in the crossfire.