KYIV— Russia launched a large-scale overnight missile and drone attack on Kyiv on Tuesday, killing civilians and causing widespread damage to residential areas, Ukrainian authorities said, as Moscow continued an intensified aerial campaign against the Ukrainian capital.
Ukrainian officials said emergency crews were deployed across multiple districts after explosions were reported throughout the city. Residential buildings, civilian infrastructure and other facilities were damaged, while search-and-rescue operations continued at several strike sites. Authorities said the casualty toll could change as responders searched damaged structures.
The latest assault followed weeks of repeated large-scale Russian missile and drone attacks that the United Nations has said have contributed to a sharp increase in civilian casualties across Ukraine during the first half of 2026. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has warned that the use of long-range missiles and drones in densely populated areas poses a severe risk to civilians.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes and renewed calls for additional Western air-defense systems, saying Ukraine required stronger protection against continuing missile and drone attacks. Ukrainian military officials said air-defense units engaged incoming targets during the assault, though some missiles and drones penetrated defenses and struck the capital.
Russia's Defense Ministry has consistently said its long-range strikes are directed at military, defense-industrial and energy-related facilities. Ukrainian authorities maintain that residential neighborhoods and civilian infrastructure have been repeatedly hit during the attacks. Reuters could not independently verify the specific targets struck in the latest bombardment.
The attack came amid continued fighting along the front lines and reciprocal long-range strikes. Ukrainian officials have acknowledged carrying out drone attacks against targets inside Russia, while Moscow has cited such operations as justification for intensified strikes.
International organizations have repeatedly expressed concern over the growing humanitarian impact of the conflict. The United Nations has reported a marked rise in verified civilian casualties this year and urged all parties to comply with international humanitarian law, including obligations to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Emergency services remained at damaged sites in Kyiv on Tuesday, with officials continuing rescue operations and assessments of casualties and destruction. Authorities said further updates would be released as additional information was verified.
