A brutal series of drone and missile strikes hit Kyiv overnight, killing at least 13 people . Mayor Vitaly Klitschko called the attack one of the worst for Ukrainian capital.
Klitschko declared a day of mourning for victims and confirmed around 90 others injured. The strikes hit many places,including an ambulance depot where someone was critically hurt.
Hours before attack,President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of an incoming Russian assault . Ukrainian defense reported 74 missiles, 496 drones launched mainly at Kyiv. Despite intercepts,25 missiles and 12 drones struck 33 sites.
Children among victims. Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv's military administration, said residential areas were hit deliberately. One apartment block in southeast Kyiv was hit hard.
At dawn,destroyed city became clear. Craters,debris everywhere. Firefighters battled multiple fires,including major blaze at central hotel. Residents heard explosions, saw tracer fire in night sky.
After attack, Zelensky urged U.S. to approve Patriot air defense systems quickly. Andriy Sybiha, Ukraine’s foreign minister, called for more air defense aid from allies, saying words aren't enough without action .
Ukraine's U.S . ambassador, Olha Stefanishyna, described Kyiv's night as horrific . Many took shelter. Civilian areas and infrastructure suffered heavy damage.
Russia's Ministry of Defence claimed strikes targeted military,energy sites in retaliation for alleged attacks on Russian civilians . Ukrainian officials said civilians were real targets. Sybiha called it "immoral" to equate aggression with nation's defense .
This marks Russia’s first big missile and drone attack in over two weeks. Russian media reported military sites in central,eastern Ukraine also struck,calling it a response to attacks on Russian energy sites.
Amid chaos,President Putin admitted fuel shortages in Russia, a rare admission linked to the conflict. As tensions rose, Zelensky cut short his Dublin trip, citing new threats of further Russian strikes.
In broader war,Russian forces advanced in Kostyantynivka,eastern Ukraine. Its fall could open way to Donbas. Yet,Ukrainian commanders say they regained more land this year, disrupting Russian supply lines to Crimea.
Conflict drags on. Russia holds about one-fifth of Ukraine, mostly taken in initial invasion phase starting February 2022…
