Major Drone and Missile Strikes Hit Kyiv Overnight
Russian forces launched a significant drone and missile attack on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, overnight, resulting in the deaths of at least two individuals.
Several neighbourhoods were evacuated as multiple strikes impacted buildings across the city, occurring just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia was preparing for a "massive" attack.
People remain trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed nine-storey building, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. The head of Kyiv's military administration confirmed that two people had been killed and 16 others injured.
Poland Activates Fighter Jets to Protect Airspace
In response to the escalating situation, Poland has activated fighter jets to safeguard its airspace, describing the move as a "preventative" measure. There have been no reports of attacks on Polish territory.
"These actions are of a preventive nature and are aimed at securing and protecting the airspace, especially in areas adjacent to the threatened regions," Poland's military stated on X.
Poland is a member of NATO and a signatory to the alliance's Article 5 provision, which states that "an armed attack against one NATO member shall be considered an attack against them all." This activation underscores the heightened alert in the region amid the ongoing conflict.
Air Defence and Damage in Kyiv
In Kyiv, tracer fire from air defence systems illuminated the night sky, accompanied by explosions from drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. Multiple fires broke out across the city, and damage was reported at an ambulance station, leaving at least one person critically injured.
Mayor Klitschko later updated the number of injured, stating it had increased to 11 from an initial count of six.
Context of the Attacks
This marks the first large-scale missile and drone strike by Russia on Ukraine in over two weeks.
On Wednesday, President Zelensky cut short his visit to Dublin after receiving fresh intelligence indicating that Moscow was planning a strike against Ukraine.
"I urge our people to be especially careful, to protect themselves, their children, and, of course, their families," he said.
He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin "has been preparing this massive strike against Ukraine for some time now."
Military Developments in Eastern Ukraine
Russian troops have recently advanced into the city of Kostyantynivka, which remains one of Ukraine's last key defensive positions in the east. If Moscow secures the city, it would provide a strategic gateway to the entire Donbas region.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian commanders report that they have recaptured more territory this year than they have lost, disrupting Moscow's critical supply lines between the Russian border and occupied Crimea.
The war has otherwise remained largely static for months, with both sides entrenched in their positions.
Russia currently controls approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, mostly seized during the initial months of its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Related Coverage
- Russian strikes kill 11 and set historic cathedral in Kyiv ablaze
- Putin makes rare admission of fuel shortages caused by Ukrainian strikes
- Will Putin change tactics after Ukrainian drone attacks?
