Early Thursday, Russian missiles and drones targeted Kyiv, resulting in two fatalities and over a dozen injuries, following President Volodymyr Zelensky's warning that Moscow was planning a "large-scale assault."
For over four years, Russia has frequently fired batches of missiles and drones toward Ukrainian cities, such as Kyiv, in an ongoing war that has turned into the most lethal conflict in Europe since World War II.
The assault occurred following warnings from Ukraine's air force about incoming ballistic missiles targeting the capital, as Zelensky ended his trip to Dublin on Wednesday, referencing intelligence indicating an imminent Russian attack.
Journalists from Agence France-Presse in central and eastern Kyiv reported hearing over a dozen blasts and observed locals—some accompanied by kids and animals—heading into subway tunnels for safety.
"Kyiv is facing an assault involving ballistic missiles and drones," stated Kyiv's mayor, Vitali Klitschko, on Telegram, noting that explosions were audible throughout the city.
Two people were killed and 11 injured, according to city officials, with explosions sounding throughout the capital.
Five areas within the broader Kyiv region were impacted, as stated by regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk.
"Throughout the night, the adversary initiated another large-scale assault on the Kyiv area employing strike drones, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles," Kalashnyk stated on Telegram.
He mentioned that emergency teams were fighting flames at storage facilities and a residence in the Bucha area, while the strikes caused damage to houses, a university hostel, and cars in other parts of the region.
Some hours prior, an AFP journalist observed an explosion in downtown Kyiv amid an air raid warning, accompanied by a plume of smoke and fire. Firefighters and emergency vehicles arrived at the location.
Approximately 50 minutes later, another explosion occurred close to the original point of contact, scattering fragments into the atmosphere.
Several inhabitants shared the challenges of staying overnight in emergency lodges.
"It's challenging. My child has gotten accustomed to sleeping in total quiet and darkness," said 32-year-old Dr. Kateryna Kucheryava.
I lifted her and brought her downstairs. She has awakened and is no longer asleep. We are attempting to help her fall back asleep, yet she constantly becomes sidetracked. The place is brightly lit, dogs are barking, and there are other kids nearby.
Earlier on Wednesday, Zelensky mentioned that he was returning quickly from a trip to Dublin because of intelligence information suggesting Russia was preparing for a major assault.
"I call on our citizens to exercise particular caution, safeguarding themselves, their children, and naturally, their families; to utilize bunkers and pay attention to air raid warnings in Ukraine — this is extremely crucial," he stated during a press briefing.
He stated that Russian leader Vladimir Putin "had been planning this large-scale attack on Ukraine for quite some time."
Ukraine has increased the use of long-range drones within Russian territory in recent weeks, focusing on energy facilities and military installations.
Russian authorities have stated they have experienced multiple attacks in frontier areas, with Moscow claiming its aerial defense systems have shot down hundreds of unmanned aircraft originating from Ukraine in recent days.
Over two million military injuries have resulted from Russia's attack on Ukraine, with Russian troops experiencing the majority of these losses, as reported in a new analysis released by the U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on Wednesday.
Efforts by the United States to mediate a resolution of the conflict have not succeeded yet.
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