Russia launched a large-scale overnight missile and drone assault on Kyiv early Sunday, killing at least four people and injuring more than 80 others across the capital and surrounding region, Ukrainian officials said.
Powerful explosions shook Kyiv shortly after 1 a.m. following a warning from Ukraine’s air force that Russia could deploy an Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile during the attack.
Russia later confirmed that the nuclear-capable intermediate-range Oreshnik missile had been used in the strikes.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said two people were killed inside the capital while 56 others were injured, including 30 who required hospitalization.
Damage was also reported around Independence Square, one of the city’s most prominent landmarks.
“It was a terrible night for Kyiv,” Klitschko said in a Telegram message from one of the strike sites. “Right now, rescuers are putting out fires and clearing debris. Medics are providing assistance to the victims.”
Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched approximately 600 drones and 90 missiles overnight, including at least one medium-range ballistic missile. Ukrainian air defenses reportedly intercepted 549 drones and 55 missiles.
Residents across the capital sought shelter in underground metro stations as air raid sirens and explosions echoed throughout the night.
“It was terrifying, scary,” said 62-year-old resident Nataliia Zvarych, who spent hours sheltering underground. “We have been sitting here for more than three hours now, listening to the explosions up there.”
Officials said more than 40 locations across Kyiv sustained damage.
Additional strikes hit areas surrounding the capital, where regional governor Mykola Kalashnyk said two more people were killed and nine injured.
As daylight broke, thick black smoke rose over parts of the city while firefighters battled blazes in damaged buildings and emergency crews evacuated survivors.
Images from the scene showed the collapsed front section of a five-story residential building. Authorities also reported damage to offices, shops, warehouses and the entrance area of a metro station.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had warned Saturday that intelligence from Ukraine, the United States and Europe suggested Russia was preparing an Oreshnik missile strike.
Russia has previously used the Oreshnik missile twice during the war. President Vladimir Putin has claimed the weapon is nearly impossible to intercept because it reportedly travels at more than 10 times the speed of sound and is capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
The latest attack came after Putin ordered military planners to prepare retaliatory options following a drone strike Friday on a student dormitory in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region.
Ukraine denied responsibility for targeting civilians and said its forces had instead struck a Russian drone command center.
Neighboring Poland said it activated military aircraft during the strikes but reported no violations of Polish airspace.
