KYIV, UKRAINE — A new wave of Russian drone and missile attacks struck multiple regions across Ukraine overnight, killing at least two people and injuring several others, including a child, in one of the most intense bombardments in recent weeks, Ukrainian officials said early Wednesday.
According to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, the Ukrainian capital came under heavy aerial assault, with explosions heard in at least four districts as Russia launched dozens of Shahed drones and missile barrages at civilian areas and infrastructure targets.
“Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on the capital overnight,” Klitschko confirmed on Telegram. “We have casualties and extensive damage across several districts.”
Authorities said one person was killed and 10 others rescued after drone debris hit a residential tower in the Dniprovskiy district. Another death was reported in the Dnipro neighborhood, where debris from a Russian missile ignited a fire that consumed part of a multi-storey building.
Ten residents were evacuated from the affected structures as emergency services battled multiple fires triggered by falling missile fragments.
Kyiv Under Fire: Residential and Industrial Areas Damaged
Explosions rocked the Pechersky, Darnytsky, and Dnipro districts throughout the night. In Pechersky, a missile fragment caused a fire in a high-rise apartment building, while in Darnytsky, drone debris hit a hangar and a residential block, causing further destruction.
Residents described the attack as one of the loudest in weeks, with windows shattered, alarms blaring, and power temporarily cut in parts of the capital. Firefighters and rescue workers were seen extinguishing flames and evacuating civilians from smoke-filled stairwells.
“It was like the sky was on fire,” said Olena Mykhailenko, a Kyiv resident whose building was hit by debris. “We spent the night in the shelter with my children, praying the next explosion wouldn’t be ours.”
Authorities have urged residents to remain alert and heed air raid sirens, as analysts warn that Russia may intensify attacks on Ukraine’s energy and infrastructure networks ahead of the winter season.
Russian Strikes Hit Multiple Ukrainian Regions
The overnight offensive was not limited to Kyiv. According to regional governors, Russian drones and missiles also targeted Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa — three areas that have repeatedly faced attacks in recent months.
In Kharkiv, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said railway infrastructure and several cars were damaged in an overnight drone attack. Meanwhile, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian authorities declared an airborne alert as Russian drones struck industrial facilities and residential areas, sparking fires that were later contained by emergency crews.
In southern Odesa, regional head Oleh Kiper confirmed that energy and port infrastructure in the city of Izmail were hit. The area, located along the Danube River near the Romanian border, has become a strategic target for Moscow in its ongoing effort to disrupt Ukraine’s grain export routes.
Ukraine’s Air Force said it intercepted most of the incoming drones and missiles, but several managed to breach air defenses, resulting in civilian casualties and significant material losses.
Zelenskyy Pushes for Long-Range Missiles Amid Escalation
The attacks came just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy renewed his calls for long-range U.S. Tomahawk missiles to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities and strike deeper into Russian territory.
Zelenskyy met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington last week, seeking to secure further military aid amid concerns of dwindling Western support. Although Trump initially appeared open to the idea, he later reversed course following a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I don’t want to have a wasted meeting … I’ll see what happens,” Trump told reporters when asked about a potential Trump-Putin summit.
Officials from both Washington and Moscow have since confirmed that no immediate meeting between the two leaders is planned, despite earlier discussions suggesting possible talks on the Ukraine conflict.
Civilians Bear the Brunt as Winter Nears
As temperatures begin to drop, Ukrainian officials warn that Russia’s renewed air campaign could be aimed at crippling Ukraine’s power grid and heating systems, repeating tactics used in the previous two winters.
Humanitarian agencies are bracing for potential power outages, displacement, and fuel shortages, particularly in eastern and southern regions where infrastructure remains heavily damaged from previous bombardments.
Despite the escalation, Ukrainian forces continue to hold defensive lines across the eastern front, even as Russian attacks grow in frequency and precision.
“Our resilience remains strong,” said Ukrainian military spokesperson Natalia Humeniuk. “Every drone, every missile we intercept saves lives. But we urgently need more international support to protect our skies.”
Global Condemnation and Renewed Calls for Peace
The European Union, United Nations, and NATO have condemned the latest Russian strikes, describing them as “indiscriminate and inhumane attacks on civilians.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated his call for both sides to de-escalate and resume peace negotiations, warning that “continued strikes on cities risk pushing millions into humanitarian crisis.”
Meanwhile, analysts say the intensifying strikes may be Russia’s attempt to gain leverage ahead of potential ceasefire discussions, as diplomatic efforts remain deadlocked.
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