A Russian missile and drone strike on Kyiv early Thursday killed 12 people and injured 48 others. Local officials said it was one of the biggest attacks in recent weeks.
Nearly 600 drones and 31 missiles were launched across Ukraine, with 20 locations in Kyiv affected. Among the victims were three children aged 2, 14, and 17. Rescue teams worked to pull people from the rubble of destroyed buildings. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is using ballistic missiles instead of focusing on peace talks.
Officials confirmed that nearly 100 buildings were damaged, including a shopping mall and several residential areas. Thick smoke rose from the city’s central district, where a five-story building collapsed after a direct hit.
Elsewhere in Ukraine, oil refineries in Krasnodar and Samara regions caught fire after drone strikes. Russia’s goal, officials said, is to weaken Ukraine’s economy by targeting fuel supplies.
Despite the attacks, Ukraine’s air force destroyed over 560 Russian drones and missiles. However, infrastructure damage caused delays in transport and services. The strike on central Kyiv marked the first major assault on the city’s heart in months, raising global concerns about the war’s escalation.
