Russian Missile and Drone Attacks Kill at Least 12 in Kyiv

At least 12 people have been killed and 21 others injured after Russia launched a large-scale wave of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and the surrounding region.

Kyiv regional military administration chief Tymur Tkachenko said the area came under a “massive attack” involving Russian missiles and strike drones overnight.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that at least eight people were killed and five others, including two children, were injured in attacks on the capital.

Another four people were killed in the wider Kyiv region, according to Ukrainian prosecutors. A residential building in the city of Boryspil was damaged, forcing about 50 people to evacuate.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks as “Russian terror” and said an Indian citizen was among those killed. He called on Ukraine’s international partners to provide additional air-defence systems.

“Russia always plans its strikes specifically to cause as much destruction to people’s lives as possible,” Zelenskyy said, arguing that the attacks become more deadly when Ukraine lacks sufficient air-defence capabilities.

Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces had struck military and energy facilities in Kyiv, Odesa and surrounding areas.

Ukraine’s border service also reported that Russian forces attacked the Orlivka ferry crossing on the border with Romania, a NATO member.

Ukraine’s Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat said Russia had increasingly been using drones that are more difficult to intercept. He said about 2,800 jet-powered drones had been launched at Ukraine over the previous six days, with approximately 60 percent intercepted.

The attacks have disrupted daily life across Ukraine, with air-raid warnings forcing people to leave commercial buildings while schools move students underground for safety.

Ukraine Reports Strikes Inside Russia

Meanwhile, Ukraine carried out drone attacks inside Russia.

A Ukrainian drone strike caused a fire in the port area of Ust-Luga, a major Russian export hub in the northwest. Russian authorities also reported efforts to repel drones in several areas.

In the Samara region, a Ukrainian drone attack struck the town of Novokuibyshevsk, damaging an apartment building and breaking windows. The area is home to several major oil refineries operated by Russia’s state-owned energy company Rosneft.

Russia’s Belgorod regional authorities also said a Ukrainian attack killed one person.

Both Russia and Ukraine deny deliberately targeting civilians.

Ukraine’s drone forces commander separately said Ukrainian forces had targeted 54 Russian “shadow fleet” vessels in August, with the aim of restricting oil revenues used to finance Russia’s war.

European Ministers Discuss Ukraine’s Air Defences

The latest attacks come as European Union defence and foreign ministers meet in Ireland to discuss ways to strengthen Ukraine’s air-defence capabilities.

Ukraine is facing a shortage of interceptor missiles, particularly US-made Patriot systems that are considered important for defending against ballistic missile threats.

Both Russia and Ukraine have intensified long-range attacks in recent months, targeting infrastructure, warehouses, businesses, oil facilities, ports and ships.

The escalation has raised concerns over increasing civilian casualties as the war continues.