At least 15 people have been killed in a fresh wave of Russian strikes on Kyiv, according to the city’s mayor, as Ukraine faces growing pressure over shortages of air defence interceptors. Residential buildings, warehouses, a school and a children’s hospital were among the sites damaged in the overnight attack.
Highlights
- At least 15 people were killed in the strikes on Kyiv.
- Residential buildings and public facilities were damaged.
- Ukraine says it urgently needs more air defence interceptors.
- Power was cut to thousands of properties in parts of the Kyiv region.
- A day of mourning is expected to be observed following the attack.
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Deadly Attack Hits Ukraine’s Capital
Kyiv came under a heavy overnight Russian attack, with explosions reported across several parts of the Ukrainian capital after air raid alerts were activated.
The strikes reportedly involved around 20 missiles and caused extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least 15 people had lost their lives, while emergency teams continued working at affected sites.
Residential blocks and warehouses were among the structures hit. A school and a children’s hospital also suffered damage, highlighting the impact of the attack on civilian areas.
Zelensky Points to Air Defence Shortage
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has linked the high death toll to the country’s shortage of air defence missiles.
He said Ukraine urgently needs additional interceptors, particularly for the Patriot systems used to defend the country against Russian ballistic missiles.
Zelensky argued that strengthening Ukraine’s air defence would help protect civilians and could also influence Russia’s calculations about continuing the war.
The Ukrainian Air Force’s morning update indicated that the ballistic missiles used during the attack had not been intercepted.
Homes Left Without Power
The attack also disrupted electricity supplies, leaving thousands of properties without power and plunging sections of the Kyiv region into darkness.
Emergency crews were deployed to clear debris and assess damaged structures.
At a school in Kyiv’s Solomyanskyi district, windows were reportedly shattered and debris spread across the playing fields. A nearby building used for laundry and heating services was also severely damaged.
Russia Says Military Sites Were Targeted
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces used weapons launched from the air, land and sea during the operation.
Moscow said the strikes were directed at military facilities and warehouses.
However, the damage reported in Kyiv included civilian infrastructure, underscoring the continuing danger faced by residents living in areas affected by the war.
Pressure Builds for More Military Support
Ukraine has depended heavily on Western military assistance throughout the conflict, with Patriot interceptor missiles playing an important role in countering ballistic missile attacks.
Zelensky’s latest appeal comes as Ukraine prepares for another difficult period of war and seeks to strengthen its ability to protect major cities from long-range attacks.
Ukrainian intelligence officials have also warned that Russia may be preparing attacks ahead of winter, potentially targeting infrastructure in an effort to make daily life more difficult for civilians.
Political Pressure at Home
The latest attack also comes as Zelensky faces renewed political pressure.
Former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for elections and criticised the government’s handling of the war, including allegations that corruption has contributed to shortages affecting the military.
With the conflict continuing and demand for air defence systems remaining high, Kyiv is under pressure both to protect its population and secure additional military support from its allies.
A day of mourning is expected as Ukraine counts the human cost of another devastating attack.
For civilians living under the shadow of war, every missing interceptor can mean the difference between an incoming missile being stopped and another night of loss.
