At least twelve people were killed in Kyiv on Thursday after a Russian missile barrage struck residential areas across the Ukrainian capital. Emergency crews spent the morning pulling survivors from the wreckage of apartment blocks, while firefighters fought multiple blazes that broke out in the aftermath of the attack.
The strikes, which began shortly after midnight, hit several districts, including the central Shevchenkivskyi and the eastern Darnytskyi areas. Local authorities reported that at least 30 people were injured, some seriously, and that the death toll could rise as search operations continue.
Videos circulating on social media showed residents being carried out of damaged buildings, some covered in dust and blood, as rescue workers used ladders and heavy equipment to reach upper floors. In one clip, a woman is seen being pulled from a collapsed stairwell, her face streaked with soot.
Kyiv's mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said in a statement that the city's emergency services had responded to more than a dozen calls related to the strikes. "Our rescuers are doing everything possible to save lives," he said. "We ask residents to remain in shelters and not to approach the affected areas."
The attack is the latest in a series of Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities, which have intensified in recent weeks. On Wednesday, a drone strike on Kyiv killed one person and damaged infrastructure, while a separate drone attack on a warehouse in Bucha forced a mass evacuation of nearby residents.
Wider impact across Ukraine
The overnight barrage was not limited to the capital. Ukrainian officials reported strikes on several other regions, including Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Zaporizhzhia, where four people were wounded in a drone attack. In the southern city of Kherson, authorities are bracing for a difficult winter as critical infrastructure continues to be targeted.
Ukraine's air force said it intercepted a significant number of the incoming missiles and drones, but acknowledged that some had evaded air defences. The strikes have renewed calls from Kyiv for more advanced Western air-defence systems, particularly Patriot batteries, to protect urban centres.
European leaders have condemned the attack. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, wrote on social media: "Russia's indiscriminate strikes on Kyiv are a violation of international law. The EU stands with Ukraine and will continue to support its defence."
The attack also comes as the EU debates how to use frozen Russian assets to help rebuild Ukraine. A group of member states, including Germany and France, has revived a push to tap these funds, a move that could provide billions of euros for reconstruction and military aid.
In Kyiv, residents expressed a mix of grief and defiance. "They want to break us, but they won't," said Olena, a 45-year-old teacher who was evacuated from her damaged apartment building. "We are still here. We will rebuild."
As the sun rose over the capital, the smell of smoke hung in the air. Rescue teams continued their painstaking work, sifting through rubble for any sign of life. The city, which has endured months of attacks, faces yet another day of mourning and recovery.
