A massive Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv has killed at least six people and injured more than 30 others, Ukrainian officials confirmed on Friday. The overnight assault also caused significant damage to residential buildings and critical infrastructure across the capital.

Kyiv Under Fire: Casualties and Damage

Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv city military administration, said over 40 people had to be rescued following the attacks. Fires and structural damage were reported across most of the city’s ten districts.

Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko described the situation as a “massive enemy attack”, highlighting that among the injured were a pregnant woman and a man in critical condition.

“Russians are hitting residential buildings. There are a lot of damaged high-rise buildings throughout Kyiv, almost in every district,” Tkachenko said.

An elderly woman was among the fatalities, and a 10-year-old boy was reported injured. In nearby Bila Tserkva, a 55-year-old man suffered severe thermal burns and was rushed to hospital.

The assault also damaged parts of Kyiv’s heating network, leaving some northeastern districts temporarily without heat as winter approaches.

Scope of the Attack

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X that Moscow launched around 430 drones and 18 missiles, including ballistic and aeroballistic types, in a calculated strike aimed at causing maximum harm to civilians and infrastructure.

“The main target of the attack was Kyiv, and strikes also hit Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Odesa regions,” Zelenskyy added.

A separate Russian drone strike on Chornomorsk, a southern coastal city, killed two people and injured seven more, Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper confirmed.

Escalation Amid Winter Threats

The attacks come as Russia intensifies its assaults on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, raising concerns about power and heating outages during the approaching winter.

Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defence claimed to have shot down 216 Ukrainian drones overnight, while Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear corporation, said Ukrainian drones attempted—but failed—to target the Novovoronezh nuclear power plant. Some units of the plant were temporarily disconnected but later restored.

Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of endangering nuclear sites amid the ongoing conflict.

International Response

The latest strikes coincide with renewed international calls for peace. Two days earlier, G7 foreign ministers reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and demanded an immediate ceasefire.

Canada, as part of efforts to hold Russia accountable, unveiled new sanctions targeting Moscow’s drone, energy, and cyber infrastructure on Wednesday.

Zelenskyy urged international partners to reinforce Ukraine’s air defenses, saying:

“All of this must end. A great deal of work is underway with partners to strengthen our air defense, but it is not enough. We need reinforcement with additional systems and interceptor missiles. Europe and the United States can help. We are counting on real decisions. Thank you to everyone who helps.”