At Least 9 Killed in Overnight Russian Attack on Kyiv, Zelenskyy Urges More Air Defence Aid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia carried out a large-scale overnight aerial assault on Saturday, striking residential neighbourhoods across seven districts of Kyiv and killing at least nine people while injuring dozens more. In a statement posted on X, Zelenskyy said the attack involved 35 missiles, including 27 ballistic missiles, along with 185 attack drones of different types. Although Kyiv was the primary focus of the assault, the strikes also affected the Dnipro, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Poltava regions.

According to the Ukrainian president, the bombardment caused significant destruction across the capital. A total of 18 residential buildings, a school, critical infrastructure, and the Lithuanian Embassy sustained damage. Emergency crews continued rescue and firefighting operations throughout the city as authorities assessed the full extent of the destruction. Expressing condolences to the victims' families, Zelenskyy said emergency medical teams were treating those injured. He also highlighted Ukraine's shortage of air defence interceptors, noting that only one ballistic missile was shot down because of limited Patriot missile system ammunition.

The Ukrainian leader argued that the shortage of interceptor missiles enables Russia to continue launching deadly ballistic attacks and renewed his appeal to international partners for faster delivery of additional air defence systems. He stressed that such equipment is urgently needed on the battlefield rather than remaining in reserve stockpiles.

Zelenskyy also revealed that he had spoken by phone with US Vice President JD Vance. The conversation followed his recent meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House and focused on strengthening Ukraine's air defence capabilities as well as the wider economic impact of the ongoing war. Zelenskyy said both sides agreed to maintain close coordination, with air defence—particularly additional Patriot interceptors—remaining Ukraine's highest priority. He thanked the United States for its continued support during the conflict.

Russia's Defence Ministry, as cited by Russian state media outlet RT, said its forces carried out a coordinated overnight operation using precision ground- and sea-launched weapons along with long-range drones. Moscow claimed the strikes targeted Ukrainian defence industry facilities and logistics centres in and around Kyiv involved in the production, storage, and transportation of missiles, drones, radar equipment, and electronic warfare systems. Russian media reported that explosions began shortly after 1:00 a.m. local time in Kyiv and continued in several waves until around 3:00 a.m., as the large-scale attack unfolded across the Ukrainian capital.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@ZelenskyyUa.