Missiles, drones, blackouts: All about Russia's overnight attack on Kyiv

Key points:

• Drones and missiles attacked Kyiv in several waves;

• Damage was recorded in seven districts of the capital;

• Strikes damaged a depot, a dormitory of the National Aviation University, and a care home for the elderly;

• One-third of Kyiv has been left without heat supply.

First wave of attacks

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported explosions in the capital and the operation of air defense systems, urging residents to remain in shelters. Ukraine’s Air Force warned of a MiG-31K aircraft taking off — a carrier of Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles — as well as multiple high-speed targets heading toward Kyiv. Monitoring groups also suggested a possible threat from Iskander-K missiles.

According to RBC-Ukraine journalists, power outages were observed in some areas of the capital. Toward morning, Russian forces also launched attack drones from multiple directions, with several series of explosions heard across the city.

Casualties

According to the mayor, five people sought medical assistance as a result of the attack. Four were hospitalized, while one received outpatient treatment.

Consequences of the Russian strike

The State Emergency Service reported that in the Holosiivskyi district, a falling drone caused three vehicles to catch fire at a service station; the fire has since been extinguished. In the Obolonskyi district, a drone attack sparked a fire in a three-story private residential building, with the roof and second floor burning; firefighting operations are ongoing.

In the Darnytskyi district, a fire broke out in a private two-story home, with rescuers working at the scene. Emergency services also responded to a call about a car fire after drone debris fell onto a roadway — no fire was found, but damage to parked vehicles was recorded, along with one injured person.

Second wave of attacks

What Russia used

At around 6:30 a.m. local time, another wave of missiles and several dozen attack drones was reported approaching the capital. Preliminary assessments suggest the main targets were Kyiv’s and the surrounding region’s energy infrastructure.

Impact of the second wave

As of 8:15 a.m. local time, fires were recorded in the Desnianskyi, Dniprovskyi, and Solomianskyi districts. At 8:30 a.m., a fire was reported on the fourth floor of an 18-story residential building in the Dniprovskyi district, with emergency services dispatched to the scene. In the Desnianskyi district, medics were called, while additional ambulance teams responded to two addresses in the Solomianskyi district.

In the Darnytskyi district, there was a threat of fire spreading to a care home for the elderly — several private houses were reportedly burning. Rescuers evacuated ten residents from the facility. A fire also broke out in a residential building near the drone impact site, including on the upper floors. In the Dniprovskyi district, a strike hit a depot.

The rector of the National Aviation University, Kseniia Semenova, confirmed to RBC-Ukraine that a drone hit a university dormitory.

“It struck the elevator shaft. There were no casualties. Windows were blown out in the dormitory,” Semenova said.

Casualties and emergency response

As of now, at least 11 people are known to have been injured as a result of the air attack, with eight hospitalized in Kyiv medical facilities.

Klitschko also reported additional consequences: a fire in the Holosiivskyi district, reportedly on the territory of a service station; debris falling onto a garden cooperative in the Obolonskyi district; and debris landing in an open area in the Desnianskyi district. All emergency services are operating on site.

At least ten people aged between 36 and 75 were injured, including two minors aged 9 and 16.

Sources: data from the Air Force of Ukraine, the State Emergency Service, the Kyiv City Military Administration, the Kyiv City State Administration, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, and the National Police.