Russia carried out a prolonged assault on Kyiv and other areas of Ukraine early Sunday using numerous drones and missiles, resulting in the deaths of at least four individuals and injuring many others. It marked one of the most intense attacks on the Ukrainian capital since the onset of the full-scale conflict.
In response to the threat, Poland shut down its airspace near two southeastern cities and deployed its air force jets. Ukraine’s military reported that Russia launched a total of 595 drones and 48 missiles overnight, with Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepting 568 drones and 43 missiles. The primary focus of the strike was the capital city of Kyiv.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed that the assault, lasting more than 12 hours, caused significant damage to a cardiology clinic, factories, and residential structures. Russia’s defense ministry asserted that it conducted a substantial attack on Ukraine utilizing long-range air and sea-based weapons and drones to target military facilities, including airfields.
Zelenskyy called on the international community to take decisive actions to cut off Russia’s energy revenues supporting the invasion. Despite Ukraine’s efforts, President Donald Trump has not yet agreed to impose punitive sanctions on Moscow. The Ukrainian president emphasized the urgency for a robust response from the United States, Europe, the G7, and the G20 through the Telegram messaging app.
The assault on Kyiv was characterized by loud explosions, drones flying overhead, and the sounds of air defense systems. Smoke from the attack lingered in the morning sky as the air raid alert concluded nearly seven hours after it commenced.
Residents in the suburbs of Kyiv faced the aftermath of the destruction, with rows of newly constructed homes in ruins and vehicles flattened by debris. Some individuals searched through the wreckage of apartment buildings, while others sought shelter in underground metro stations, monitoring the situation on their mobile devices.
Large-scale attacks have strained Ukraine’s limited air defense capabilities in 2025. Zelenskyy announced the deployment of an additional Patriot missile system from Israel, with expectations for two more to arrive later in the year. Despite appeals for further support to safeguard Ukraine’s skies, air defense systems remain scarce as other nations seek to enhance their defenses amid perceived Russian threats.
The assault targeted various regions, including the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, where at least 16 people were injured. Emergency services reported four fatalities and 67 injuries across the country, with one victim believed to be a 12-year-old girl, as announced by Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration on Telegram.