KYIV — Russia launched a large-scale overnight missile and drone attack on Kyiv on Friday, killing dozens of people and injuring scores more in one of the deadliest strikes on the Ukrainian capital in recent months, according to Ukrainian authorities, as emergency crews continued searching damaged residential buildings for survivors.
Ukraine's State Emergency Service and city officials said the death toll continued to rise as rescue operations progressed, cautioning that the number of casualties remained preliminary. Authorities said multiple districts of the capital were hit, with apartment buildings, civilian infrastructure and vehicles damaged or destroyed by the strikes.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said emergency responders were working at numerous impact sites across the city, while Ukraine's Interior Ministry reported that firefighters, medical teams and rescue personnel had been deployed throughout the capital. Officials said several people remained trapped beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings, and casualty figures could change as recovery efforts continued.
Ukraine's Air Force said Russia launched a combined barrage of missiles and drones during the overnight assault. Military officials said air defence systems intercepted many incoming weapons, but several missiles and drones penetrated defences and struck targets in Kyiv.
There was no immediate detailed comment from Russia's Defence Ministry on the reported civilian casualties. Moscow has repeatedly said its long-range strikes are directed at military and defence-related infrastructure, while Ukraine says residential areas and civilian facilities have been repeatedly hit.
Rescue operations remained under way on Friday, with officials warning that the confirmed death toll and damage assessments could increase as crews continued clearing debris and verifying casualties.
