Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on Kyiv, beginning on Thursday night and continuing into early Friday. It is considered the largest aerial assault since the start of the war. Russia’s attack injured 23 people and caused damage across numerous areas of the city.Russia launched 550 drones and missiles, most of which were Shahed drones. Eleven of them were missiles. All through the night, Associated Press journalists in Kyiv could hear the drones, along with explosions and heavy gunfire as Ukrainian forces were also trying to shoot down the missiles and drones. Kyiv was the main target of the attack. According to Mayor Vitali Klitschko, at least 23 people were injured, and 14 of them were hospitalized. The Ukrainian military successfully shot down 270 targets, including two cruise missiles. An additional 208 targets disappeared from radar, likely due to electronic jamming by Russia. Despite Ukraine’s air defenses, Russia managed to strike eight locations using nine missiles and 63 drones. Debris from intercepted drones fell on 33 locations across the city. The attack occurred just hours after US President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and publicly commented on his administration’s decision to pause weapons shipments to Ukraine. The suspension affects key defensive weapons, including Patriot missiles, AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missiles, and Stinger missiles. These systems are critical for Ukraine’s defense against Russian drones, missiles, and aircraft. This marks the second major aerial assault in less than a week. Just a few days earlier, Russia launched 537 drones, decoys, and 60 missiles in a similar large-scale attack. At least five of Kyiv’s ten districts sustained damage. In the Solomianskyi district, a five-story apartment building was partially destroyed, and the roof of a seven-story building caught fire. Fires also broke out at a warehouse, a garage complex, and an auto repair facility. In the Sviatoshynskyi district, a 14-story residential building was hit and caught fire. Nearby vehicles also burned, and other non-residential buildings were affected. In the Shevchenkivskyi district, an eight-story building was struck, with damage to its first floor. Drone debris also fell in the Darnytskyi and Holosiivskyi districts. Ukraine’s national railway company, Ukrzaliznytsia, reported that rail infrastructure in Kyiv was damaged by drone strikes, potentially disrupting train services.
