In a significant escalation of hostilities, Russia launched a series of deadly missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, early Saturday morning. Local authorities reported that the assault resulted in the tragic death of one individual and left 27 others injured. This attack occurred just one day before crucial diplomatic talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida, intensifying the urgency of the ongoing conflict.
The assault began in the early morning hours and continued as daylight broke over the city. Explosions echoed throughout Kyiv for hours as a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones targeted various locations. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed it executed a massive strike using long-range precision-guided weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and drones, aimed at key energy infrastructure utilized by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and military-industrial complexes.
According to the Russian military, this operation was a response to Ukraine’s alleged attacks on civilian targets within Russia. In a separate incident, the Russian ministry claimed to have intercepted seven Ukrainian drones over its Krasnodar and Adygeya regions overnight.
In light of the escalating situation, Poland took precautionary measures by scrambling fighter jets and temporarily closing airports in Lublin and Rzeszow, which are located near the Ukrainian border. The Polish armed forces confirmed there were no violations of their airspace, and normal operations at the two airports have since resumed. The reason behind the alert remains unclear, as the Russian attacks were concentrated on Kyiv, significantly farther from the border.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy reported that Russia targeted Ukraine with nearly 500 drones and 40 missiles, focusing primarily on civilian and energy infrastructure in Kyiv. As a direct consequence of these attacks, many areas in the region are currently without electricity or heating. Zelenskyy expressed frustration over the lack of a Russian response to proposals aimed at ending the war, stating that while discussions are occurring, the reality of the situation is reflected in the ongoing attacks.
The devastation left in the wake of the missile strikes is significant. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko reported that over 10 residential buildings were damaged, with emergency services actively rescuing individuals trapped under the rubble. Eyewitness accounts describe harrowing scenes, such as that of Olena Karpenko, who recounted hearing a man's screams for help as flames engulfed nearby structures after a powerful explosion near a thermal power plant.
Among the wounded were two children, with seven locations across Kyiv affected by the attacks. Klymenko confirmed the discovery of a body under the debris of a collapsed building, while emergency responders worked tirelessly to combat fires that erupted in various residential complexes, including an 18-story building in the Dnipro district and a 24-story structure in Darnytsia.
The situation in Kyiv remains tense as emergency crews respond to the ongoing crisis. The attacks have not only inflicted physical damage but have also left the community grappling with the emotional toll of the violence. As discussions between Ukrainian and U.S. leaders approach, the urgency for a resolution to this nearly four-year-old conflict has never been more critical.