Russia has launched a large-scale wave of strikes against Ukraine, firing hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles. Four people were killed and more than 50 others injured in Kyiv and surrounding areas. Explosions echoed across the region overnight into Sunday, with significant damage reported to residential buildings and schools.
The capital remains on high alert.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the Oreshnik hypersonic missile was used in a strike on Bila Tserkva, a city within the Kyiv region. According to Ukraine`s air force, 90 missiles and 600 drones were detected starting from 18:00 local time on Saturday. Ukraine`s national police reported that strikes hit more than 50 locations across Kyiv, including residential buildings, shopping centers, and emergency infrastructure. Zelensky also confirmed that a water-supply facility was targeted.
The strikes follow Russian President Vladimir Putin`s vow to retaliate after accusing Ukraine of carrying out a deadly attack on a student dormitory in Starobilsk on Friday. That attack resulted in 18 deaths. The general staff of Ukraine`s armed forces confirmed conducting an operation near Starobilsk but maintained that the strike targeted an elite Russian military unit.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv`s military administration, wrote on Telegram shortly after midnight that the capital had been subjected to a massive ballistic attack. Kyiv`s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, confirmed that two people were killed within the city, with 30 others, including two children, hospitalized. A nine-storey residential building in the central Shevchenko district was hit, sparking a fire on the upper floors.
In the wider Kyiv region, two additional people were killed, as confirmed by regional head Mykola Kalashnyk. He described the operation as deliberate terror against civilians. Outside the capital, regions including Cherkasy, Kharkiv, Odesa, Poltava, Sumy, and Zhytomyr have also reported incoming fire, according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Emergency services continue to clear debris and treat the injured. At least 83 people have been reported injured since the start of the day.
