At least 17 people have been killed following a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelensky saying additional interceptor missiles “could have saved lives”.
The overnight assault, which began shortly after midnight on Wednesday, was one of the deadliest attacks on Kyiv and the surrounding region this year. Residential buildings, a railway station and warehouse facilities were among the locations struck, leaving at least 45 people injured.
Ukraine, which has repeatedly appealed to its allies for more US-made Patriot missile interceptors to counter Russian ballistic missile attacks, reported that none of the ballistic missiles launched during the assault were intercepted.
Zelensky blamed delays in receiving advanced air defence systems from international partners for the heavy casualties.
He said delays in delivering anti-ballistic systems result in “horrific casualties and destruction.”
The Ukrainian president later revealed that supplies of interceptor missiles from allied countries had been “significantly reduced” this year.
Russia Says Logistics Facilities Were Targeted
Russia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed carrying out the strikes, saying the attacks were aimed at logistics hubs and supply centres in Kyiv and the surrounding region.
According to the ministry:
“These centres were involved in the storage, delivery of various weapons and military supplies, as well as in the production and distribution of unmanned aerial vehicles.”
The ministry also claimed that three cargo vessels transporting military equipment near Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa were successfully targeted.
Casualties And Damage
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned that rescue workers feared more victims could still be trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
Ukraine’s emergency services reported that one person was killed and at least 16 others injured within Kyiv city, while another 16 people lost their lives and 29 were injured in the wider Kyiv region.
Emergency responders said firefighters continued battling blazes at five separate locations across the region, covering an estimated 230,000 square metres.
Ukraine Air Force Reports Massive Attack
Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 24 ballistic missiles and four anti-ship missiles during the assault on the capital.
It also reported that Russia deployed 115 drones overnight, with Ukrainian air defence units intercepting 98 of them.
Regional authorities also confirmed fresh Russian attacks in other parts of the country, including the Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv regions.
Cross-Border Attacks Continue
Russia has stepped up its attacks on Kyiv in recent weeks, while Ukraine has intensified strikes on Russian infrastructure, particularly logistics centres and energy facilities.
In Russia’s Tula region, Governor Dmitry Milyaev said a Ukrainian drone struck a warehouse belonging to e-commerce company Wildberries overnight, sparking a major fire.
He said one person was injured and no deaths were recorded, adding that the warehouse had been evacuated before the attack while emergency crews worked to contain the blaze.
Ukraine has repeatedly targeted warehouse facilities, including several operated by Wildberries. Similar attacks on warehouses in the Moscow region on Tuesday reportedly killed five people and injured 10 others.
Earlier this week, Russian authorities also reported that seven people were killed and 58 injured after a drone struck a crowded beach in the Krasnodar region.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials condemned footage circulating online showing a man being pursued by a drone in Kherson, describing it as a deliberate “hunt” and “safari” against civilians.
Both Russia and Ukraine continue to deny intentionally targeting civilian populations during the conflict.
EU Releases Frozen Russian Assets To Support Ukraine
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Wednesday that the European Union had received €1.4 billion (£1.2 billion) from immobilised Russian assets.
She said the funds would be used to provide additional support to Ukraine as the war continues.
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