Ukraine hit by large-scale missile and drone assault, blasts reported in Kyiv and across several cities
Illustrative photo: Kyiv residents shelter in the metro during an air raid alert (Getty Images)
Explosions are being heard in Kyiv and several other Ukrainian cities as air defence forces are operating, according to the Kyiv City Military Administration and the national air raid alert map.
The first air raid alerts were reported in Kyiv around midnight.
"Air raid alert declared in Kyiv! We urge everyone to immediately proceed to civil protection shelters!" - the Kyiv City Military Administration (KCMA) announced on Telegram.
Monitoring channels reported a ballistic missile launch toward the capital from the Klintsy area in Russia’s Bryansk region, preliminarily identified as an Iskander-M.
Around 1 AM Kyiv time, the KCMA reported explosions in the capital and the activation of air defence systems.
An RBC Ukraine correspondent reported a fire following the blasts.
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that a fire had broken out in the Holosiivskyi district.
"All emergency services are heading to the scene," he noted.
Strikes were also reported in Zaporizhzhia, where infrastructure was targeted.
"The strikes hit infrastructure facilities, preliminarily without casualties," the regional administration said.
In Izmail, Odesa region, power outages were reported following explosions.
Explosions were also heard in Dnipro.
A renewed ballistic threat was declared in Kyiv around 01:38 AM Kyiv time, followed by another series of explosions.
Vitali Klitschko confirmed continued air defence activity over the capital.
Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities
Earlier, RBC Ukraine reported a guided bomb (KAB) strike on Kharkiv overnight on October 21. Eleven people suffered acute stress reactions, eight women and three men, after the strike hit a residential area in the Industrialnyi district, damaging homes and outbuildings. At least four aerial bombs were used in the attack.
Late on October 20, Russian forces also launched a massive attack on the Pavlohrad district, firing both missiles and drones. According to preliminary data, 16 people were injured, 15 of them hospitalised, four in critical condition, and the rest in moderate condition. An infrastructure facility was damaged, and a fire broke out during the assault.
