On Thursday morning, Kyiv faced one of the most intense Russian attacks in recent weeks. Missiles and drones rained down on the capital of Ukraine, leaving destruction and panic in their wake. According to officials, two people lost their lives and at least 16 others were injured in the attack.
Kyiv Shaken by Early Morning Assault
The skies over Kyiv were filled with the sound of explosions as air raid sirens wailed for more than four hours. Emergency services rushed to multiple locations where residential apartments, vehicles, warehouses, offices, and other buildings were burning. Large plumes of black smoke rose from various parts of the city, blocking the early morning sunlight.
Around 400 drones and 18 missiles were launched by Russia in this single attack, most of them aimed directly at Kyiv. Ukrainian forces tried to intercept as many as possible, but the scale of the attack caused serious damage. Officials said eight out of ten districts in the capital were affected.
Videos from the scene showed buildings with shattered windows, damaged walls, and cars that had been destroyed by fire. Residents described how they ran for cover in bomb shelters as soon as the sirens went off. In many places, fires broke out just moments after explosions were heard.
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This strike came only a day after another major assault, where Russia launched what Ukraine described as a record number of drones in one night. Many Ukrainians believe these back-to-back attacks are meant to terrorize the public and break their morale.
Night of Fear and Fire
People living in Kyiv experienced a sleepless night filled with fear. Loud blasts woke up families, and children were hurried into underground shelters. Many buildings caught fire, including residential homes and non-residential properties.
One young woman said she had just turned around when a massive blast shattered the windows and started a fire in her apartment. She escaped just in time, but the horror of the moment still shook her. Residents described the attack as “terror” that strikes when people are asleep and most vulnerable.
The flames spread quickly due to the nature of the attacks. Firefighters worked through the early hours of the morning to put out multiple fires. Emergency crews also had to deal with power outages and damaged roads, making rescue operations more difficult.
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Further east, near the front-line town of Kostiantynivka, a separate Russian air strike killed three people and injured another late on Wednesday. The region continues to face heavy attacks as the war stretches on.
Ukrainian military officials explained that the country’s air defense systems are under pressure due to the rising number of drone and missile strikes. Many cities are struggling to protect key infrastructure and residential areas.
US Weapons Support Resumes Amid Kyiv Crisis
As the attacks continue to escalate, the United States has resumed the delivery of weapons to Ukraine. This includes artillery shells and mobile rocket artillery systems. These deliveries come after a recent commitment from the US leadership to support Ukraine with more defensive equipment.
Two American officials confirmed that the shipments were already reaching Ukrainian forces. These new weapons are meant to help counter the rising number of aerial attacks and support Ukraine’s ongoing defense operations.
Officials from Ukraine have also held meetings with US representatives in recent days to discuss sanctions against Russia and additional support for Ukraine’s defense needs. The discussions took place in European cities, ahead of a major recovery conference.
While Ukraine continues to fight on multiple fronts, international support has become more crucial than ever. The return of US military aid is seen as an important move to strengthen Ukrainian defense lines, especially in cities like Kyiv that are constantly under threat.
Explosions rock Kyiv as Russia launches fierce night of drone and missile strikes
Meanwhile, Russian state media reported that their own air defense systems had shot down 14 Ukrainian drones during the same period. However, there has been no official statement from Moscow about the large-scale attack on Kyiv on Thursday morning.
Explosions, fires, and destruction are now common sights in many Ukrainian cities. With every new attack, the toll on civilians rises, and more homes, offices, and public spaces are turned into rubble. The situation remains tense, and the people of Ukraine continue to face life-threatening conditions on a daily basis.
