Missiles and drones rain down on Kyiv

Russian assault kills at least 21 in one of war's largest attacks

KYIV:

Russia launched one of its largest aerial assaults of the war on Kyiv early Thursday, firing hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles that killed at least 21 people, wounded more than 90 others and damaged around 130 buildings across the Ukrainian capital.

Multiple explosions echoed through the city overnight as thousands of residents sought shelter in underground metro stations and bomb shelters while thick columns of smoke rose above the skyline.

The attack was the deadliest on Kyiv since at least May and among the most destructive the capital has endured since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Authorities declared Friday a day of mourning.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy cut short a visit to Ireland and returned to Kyiv, where he visited the site of a partially collapsed nine-storey residential building on the city's left bank. He said delays in the delivery of promised air defence systems by Ukraine's allies had contributed to the scale of the destruction.

"If our partners had delivered on their promises in a timely manner, I think we could have saved more homes and lives today," Zelenskiy said. "All we ask of our partners is simply to do what we've agreed on. We're not even asking for more."

Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 74 missiles and 496 drones overnight. Air Force spokesman Yuri Ihnat said the number of ballistic missiles used was unusually high and acknowledged that Ukraine's interception rate had been low, as the country continues to face shortages of Patriot air defence missiles.

Russia's Defence Ministry said the strikes targeted military and energy facilities, as well as airports in Kyiv and elsewhere, describing the bombardment as retaliation for recent Ukrainian drone attacks inside Russia. The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin had been briefed by military commanders and that Russia would continue increasing pressure on Ukraine to achieve its war aims.