Russia launched a massive attack on Kyiv and surrounding areas on the night between Tuesday and Wednesday, using ballistic missiles and drones. The attacks began just after midnight, with initial reports indicating at least 17 people were killed. At least 27 people were injured, while other estimates suggest more than 40 people suffered injuries of varying severity.
The Ukrainian air force confirmed that Russia launched a total of 24 ballistic missiles and four cruise missiles. During the attack, Ukrainian defences failed to intercept any of the Russian missiles, resulting in significant material damage. Residential buildings, storage facilities, and the main railway station in the capital were hit.
The mayor’s office reported fires in storage areas, with a major blaze breaking out on the city’s periphery. There are serious concerns that people are trapped under the rubble following the collapse of parts of buildings. The Russian Ministry of Defence claims the targets were logistical hubs, supply centres, and weapon storage sites, as well as facilities for the production and distribution of drones.
The Kremlin also stated that three cargo ships were hit near the Black Sea port of Odesa, claiming the vessels were carrying weapons and military equipment. These claims are part of the Russian narrative of precise strikes on military infrastructure, while Ukrainian officials report civilian casualties and destroyed civilian property.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that effective interception systems could save many lives. He emphasised that delays in the delivery of missile defence systems by international partners are leading to tragic losses. Zelensky called for an urgent improvement in air defence, stating that counter-missile measures could prevent further losses.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Russian attacks do not take a summer break. It called on international partners to accelerate relevant decisions and introduced a request for additional, stricter sanctions against Russia. Ukraine has consistently requested more Patriot interceptor systems from its allies to better respond to this type of attack.
