Russian Overnight Strikes Hit Kyiv, Kill Four

A deadly overnight Russian attack on Kyiv has killed four people and caused widespread destruction across Ukraine’s capital, officials confirmed on Friday. The assault, one of the most intense in recent weeks, struck multiple residential areas and critical infrastructure sites.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky described the strike as intentional and devastating, saying, “This was a deliberately calculated attack aimed at causing maximum harm to people and civilian infrastructure.” He confirmed that four people were killed and dozens injured, including a pregnant woman.

According to Zelensky, Russia launched around 430 drones and 18 missiles in the overnight barrage. AFP reporters in Kyiv witnessed anti-missile systems firing and tracer bullets lighting up the sky as Ukrainian forces attempted to intercept incoming drones.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, said on social media that “There are a lot of damaged high-rise buildings throughout Kyiv, almost in every district.” Emergency crews worked through the night, rescuing residents from burning buildings and debris. Police reported that 30 residential structures across nine districts sustained damage.

Parts of the Desnyansky and Podil districts temporarily lost heating, according to Mayor Vitaly Klitschko. While transport services were disrupted, with delays affecting buses and trams, authorities said power and heating outages caused by the attack were resolved by morning.

The strikes come amid growing international pressure on Moscow. This week, Canada announced new sanctions targeting Russia’s drone production, energy sector, and cyberattack infrastructure. G7 foreign ministers also renewed calls for an immediate ceasefire, reaffirming “unwavering” support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. Meanwhile, the European Commission is weighing using frozen Russian assets to support Kyiv’s budget and defense needs.

Despite these efforts, the nearly four-year conflict remains deeply entrenched. Russia continues its push across eastern Ukraine, particularly in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, while Ukraine has intensified its own strikes on Russian infrastructure.

Russia’s defence ministry claimed it shot down more than 200 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 66 over Krasnodar Krai and 45 over Saratov. A fire was reported at the Sheskharis oil refinery in Novorossiysk before being contained, and a civilian vessel was damaged, leaving three crew members injured.

With winter approaching, experts warn that Russia’s repeated attacks on energy facilities could leave Ukraine vulnerable to heating shortages, deepening the humanitarian toll of the prolonged war.