Russia launched a fresh barrage of drones and missiles at Kyiv in the early hours of Thursday, killing at least one person and wounding 16 others, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv military administration. The attack came just hours after a rare daytime aerial assault on the Ukrainian capital on Wednesday that killed at least six people.
In a Telegram post, Tkachenko urged residents to remain in shelters as the strikes targeted several districts of the city, damaging residential buildings and civilian infrastructure. In the Darnytsia district, a residential building partially collapsed, trapping people under the rubble. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that a search and rescue operation was underway there, and Ukraine's Emergency Service reported that at least ten people had been rescued.
Fallen drone debris ignited a fire on the roof of a five-storey residential building in the Dniprovskyi district, Klitschko said. In the Obolonskyi district, debris struck a 12-storey apartment block, also sparking a fire. Additional debris fell onto a non-residential building, a three-storey parking lot, and a business centre.
Shift to Daytime Assaults
Wednesday's daytime attack was notable for its scale: Moscow deployed over 800 drones, killing at least six people. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the drones were launched “in waves,” deliberately targeting regions closest to the borders of NATO countries. Western regions of Ukraine, as well as the rest of the country, were hit, according to Ukrainian officials and rescue services.
Until recently, Russia had mainly conducted mass drone and missile strikes at night. However, the tactic appears to have shifted in March and April, when Moscow began switching to a daytime assault strategy. This change has increased the risk to civilians who are often caught off guard during daylight hours.
The attacks come amid a broader intensification of Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities. Earlier this week, a Russian drone barrage hit a residential area in Kharkiv, underscoring the escalating violence. The European Union has responded by tightening sanctions, including targeting Russian officials over the forced deportation of Ukrainian children.
Kyiv's resilience continues to be tested as the war enters its fourth year. The overnight attack on Thursday, following the daytime assault, highlights the relentless nature of the Russian campaign. Rescue operations are ongoing, and authorities are assessing the full extent of the damage.
