Russia hits Kyiv and Dnipro with missiles and drones: 9 dead in Ukraine

By Yusuf İnan | Wise News Press
KYIV, Ukraine — Russia struck Kyiv, Dnipro and Kharkiv with missiles and drones overnight, killing at least 9 people and injuring dozens as Ukrainian officials reported fires, power outages and damage across several regions.

The attacks came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia was preparing a new large-scale assault. Local authorities said rescue crews, emergency services and air defense units were working through the night as explosions were reported in the capital and other cities.

Kyiv hit by missiles as fires break out

Multiple explosions were heard in Kyiv overnight as Russian missiles and drones targeted the Ukrainian capital. Fires broke out in several districts, and emergency teams were dispatched to damaged sites.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said on Telegram that three deaths had been confirmed in the capital. He said Russia used ballistic missiles in Tuesday’s attack.

Local media reported heavy smoke rising from central parts of the city. Residents were seen taking bags and blankets as they moved toward shelters during the air raid alerts. Images from Kyiv showed people standing near the site of a strike on a residential building, while firefighters worked around damaged and burning structures.

The attack once again highlighted the continued vulnerability of civilian areas in Ukraine’s largest city, despite the presence of air defense systems. Kyiv has repeatedly been targeted by waves of missiles and drones since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Mayor urges residents to stay in shelters

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said explosions were taking place in the city and urged residents to remain in shelters while air defense forces were operating.

“Explosions are happening in the city. Air defense forces are working. Stay in shelters,” Klitschko said during the attack.

He also reported power outages in several districts of the Ukrainian capital. Officials said work was underway to determine the scale of damage to residential areas, local infrastructure and electricity networks.

The use of ballistic missiles adds particular pressure on Ukraine’s air defense system because such weapons give civilians and emergency crews very little time to react. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly said that protecting major cities requires more advanced air defense systems and a stable supply of interceptor missiles.

Four killed in Dnipro attack

Dnipro was also struck overnight. Regional Governor Oleksandr Ganzha said four people were killed in the Russian attack, including a 73-year-old woman.

“This enemy attack cost four lives,” Ganzha said in a statement on Telegram.

He added that the number of people wounded in the overnight strike on Dnipro had risen to 16. Emergency services continued working at the affected sites after the attack.

Dnipro has been repeatedly targeted during the war because of its strategic location and its role as a major urban and logistical center in eastern-central Ukraine. Civilian infrastructure, residential buildings, energy facilities and transport routes in the region have all faced attacks at different stages of the conflict.

Eight wounded in Kharkiv’s Slobidskyi district

In Kharkiv, regional officials reported further civilian injuries. Kharkiv Governor Oleh Syniehubov said eight people were wounded in the city’s Slobidskyi district.

Kharkiv, located close to the Russian border, remains one of Ukraine’s most frequently attacked major cities. It has faced repeated missile, drone and artillery strikes throughout the war, with residential districts and civilian infrastructure often suffering damage.

The latest attacks triggered air alerts across several parts of Ukraine, forcing many civilians to spend the night in shelters. Authorities said the full extent of the damage was still being assessed.

Attacks follow Zelenskyy’s warning

The overnight strikes came only days after Zelenskyy warned that Russia was preparing a new major attack against Ukraine.

“We have intelligence that Russia is preparing a new large-scale assault,” Zelenskyy said on Friday, urging citizens to remain cautious and follow air raid alerts.

He called on Ukrainians to protect their lives and said emergency services, the Air Force and other defenders of the sky would remain on duty around the clock.

“Please pay attention to air alerts and protect your lives,” Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukrainian services were prepared and working efficiently.

The warning now appears to have been followed by one of the latest deadly waves of Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities, again placing air defense needs at the center of Kyiv’s appeals to its allies.

Patriot air defense calls return to the agenda

After the attacks, Zelenskyy renewed calls for Ukraine’s partners to allow and finance the supply of Patriot air defense systems and missiles capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles.

Kyiv has long argued that additional Patriot systems are essential to protect civilians, residential areas, hospitals, energy infrastructure and other critical sites from missile attacks. Ukrainian officials say ballistic missiles remain among the most dangerous threats because of their speed and destructive impact.

Ukraine has repeatedly asked Western allies for more air defense batteries, interceptor missiles and related support as Russia continues to launch combined missile and drone attacks.

Damage assessment continues across Ukraine

Damage assessment and rescue operations continued in Kyiv, Dnipro and Kharkiv after the strikes. Emergency crews worked to extinguish fires, clear debris and assist the wounded.

Officials warned that casualty figures could change as rescue teams continued their work. The attacks caused fires, power disruptions and damage to civilian infrastructure in several locations.

The latest Russian strikes underscored the continuing pressure on Ukrainian cities and civilians as the war enters another phase of long-range missile and drone attacks. From Kyiv to Dnipro and Kharkiv, Ukraine’s authorities say civilian protection and air defense remain urgent priorities.

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