Russia strikes Kyiv with ballistic missiles: six killed

Overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, Russia launched a massive ballistic missile strike on Kyiv. According to the city's military administration, five people were killed in the capital itself, with one more death reported in the Kyiv region. The information was confirmed by Timur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv regional military administration.

The attack began late on Wednesday evening. "Explosions in the capital. Kyiv is under ballistic attack. Stay in shelters!" Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned on Telegram shortly before 11 p.m. In subsequent updates, he reported strikes on buildings, fires, power outages and casualties.

Destruction across three districts

The city's military administration recorded strike damage at more than 12 locations across Kyiv's Darnytskyi, Sviatoshynskyi and Solomianskyi districts. According to the Ukrainian news agency Unian, missiles hit the upper floors of a nine-story residential building and also damaged industrial facilities, warehouses, garages and a medical facility.

Preliminary reports suggest that Russian strikes overnight also targeted other Ukrainian regions beyond the capital.

Shortage of Patriot missiles

In recent weeks, Russia has intensified its aerial attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, noticeably increasing the share of ballistic missiles compared with previous strikes. Ukraine is facing a shortage of ammunition for its Patriot air defence systems, which are effective against ballistic targets — a shortfall that has made it increasingly difficult for the country to repel such attacks.

Drone attack on Moscow

The same night, strikes were also reported on the Russian capital. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Russian air defences shot down eight drones heading toward the city. Because of the attack, Russia's aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, imposed restrictions at Moscow's Vnukovo and Domodedovo airports.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz