Russian Missile and Drone Barrage Kills One, Injures 16 in Kyiv

KYIV: Russia launched one of its largest overnight missile and drone assaults on the Ukrainian capital, killing at least one person and injuring 16 others in a coordinated attack that caused widespread destruction across Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said.

According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia fired 41 missiles, including 17 ballistic missiles, along with 125 drones during the attack. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 18 missiles and 108 drones, limiting what officials said could have been far greater casualties and damage.

The bombardment, which began around 1:30 a.m., sparked fires in at least five districts of Kyiv and damaged residential buildings, office complexes, industrial facilities, a student dormitory and dozens of vehicles. Emergency responders rescued several residents trapped inside burning buildings, while one person was found dead in the aftermath of the strikes.

Ukraine’s military said the growing use of ballistic missiles by Russia reflects an escalation in attacks on the capital, while also highlighting Kyiv’s continuing dependence on advanced Western air defense systems, particularly U.S.-made Patriot missile batteries. Despite concerns over interceptor shortages, the latest operation suggested Ukraine had replenished some of its missile defense capabilities.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said the strikes targeted facilities linked to Ukraine’s military-industrial sector, including sites involved in the production of drones and missile systems, and claimed that all designated objectives had been successfully hit.

The attack came as U.S. President Donald Trump indicated support for expanding Ukraine’s air defense capabilities by expressing willingness to approve production licenses for Patriot missiles inside Ukraine, although no formal agreement has yet been announced.