At least nine people have been killed and more than 70 injured in Kyiv after Russia carried out one of the most devastating air attacks againstUkrainefor months, with Kharkiv and other cities across the country also targeted overnight.
Waves of drones as well as ballistic and guided missiles struck the Ukrainian capital early on Thursday. There were explosions for much of the night, beginning around 1am local time, and the rattle of anti-aircraft fire as Ukrainian defences tried to shoot the missiles down.
Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko said rescuers were pulling survivors from under the rubble. The wounded included six children and a pregnant woman. A house, cars, and other buildings were set on fire, with extensive damage caused by falling debris in several districts, he said.
“Russia has launched a massive combined strike on Kyiv,” Ukraine’s state emergency service said on Telegram.
“According to preliminary data, nine people were killed, 63 injured,” it said.
On Wednesday evening drones could be seen buzzing in the sky above the north-east Kharkiv region and flying over a forest. Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second city, was hit by seven missiles and 12 kamikaze drones in strikes throughout the night. Black smoke plumed above the city.
According to Kharkiv’s mayor, Ihor Terekhov, several private houses, a factory, and a high-rise apartment block were hit. “One of the most recent strikes hit a densely populated residential area. Two people were injured there,” he said, urging people to be “careful”.
The onslaught came as Donald Trumplashed out at Volodymyr Zelenskyyfor failing to support a US “peace plan”, which would see Crimea and other Ukrainian territories handed to Russia.
On Wednesday, Trump accused Ukraine’s president of prolonging the “killing field” and making “very harmful” statements. Zelenskyy has ruled out recognising Crimea as Russian and says a complete ceasefire is needed before any settlement can be discussed.
Posting on social media, as Russian bombs fell around them, Ukrainians criticised Trump’s one-sided approach and his apparent indifference to Ukrainian civilian casualties. The massive attack suggested the Kremlin was not remotely interested in peace, they suggested.
Olha Rudenko, the editor of the Kyiv independent newspaper, wrote: “Can’t begin to explain how surreal it is to be sitting on the floor in the safest place of my apartment hearing an extremely loud Russian missile+drone attack – after having spent entire day discussing and editing coverage of the US effectively demanding Ukraine’s surrender.”
Euan MacDonald, a freelance journalist, added: “Great big bang in Kyiv, and another – incoming missiles. Shaheds also in city, just heard anti-aircraft guns. And two more big bangs just as I write … Not been this noisy for a while …”
There were further attacks in the cities of Pavlohrad and Zhytomyr, as well as in the Zaporizhzhia region.
In Kyiv some residents spent a sleepless night in the subway, which doubles as a missile shelter. According to thephotographer Kostyantyn Liberov, Shahed drones struck the same district twice as rescuers and civilians were trying to free a young woman who was trapped in a collapsed building.
“Honey, we’ll get you out no matter what. We’re right here,” one of the rescuers reassured her, as the loud roar of a Shahed drone buzzed overhead, Liberov reported.
Videographer Anton Shtuka,who filmed the difficult rescue operation, remarked: “Sometimes it looks like these strikes hit our homes because [Vladimir] Putin feels US support and begins to pressure Ukraine even more.” He added, ironically: “Thank you, partners.”
Kyiv was last hit by missiles in early April when at least three people were wounded. It has been the target of sporadic attacks since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Andriy Yermak, the head of Zelenksyy’s office said: “Putin shows only a desire to kill. The attacks on civilians must stop.”