Russia launched a massive overnight missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, killing four people, in what appears to be retaliation after President Vladimir Putin vowed to respond to Ukraine’s “Spider Web” operation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Friday that Russia fired around 400 drones and 40 ballistic missiles, urging Western allies to increase pressure on the Kremlin to end the war.
“If no one applies pressure and gives this war more time to claim lives, then they are collaborators and share the responsibility. We must act decisively,” Zelensky wrote on social media.
The attack caused large fires in residential buildings and forced the Kyiv metro system to shut down after a train was hit. Despite Ukraine’s air defense efforts, three emergency workers were killed and around 20 people injured, including 16 hospitalized, Kyiv authorities reported.
The nationwide attack involved ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, Kalibr missiles, and dozens of drones. In the Solomianskyi district, a residential block sustained major damage to its upper floors, destroying windows, balconies, and parts of exterior walls.
More than 2,000 families in eastern Kyiv were left without electricity Friday morning.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko stated on Telegram that search and rescue operations were ongoing at multiple sites. The Interior Ministry confirmed that the three victims were firefighters from the State Emergency Service who died while responding to the attack.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Armed Forces (AFU), in coordination with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), successfully destroyed a Russian ballistic missile launcher near Klintsy in Bryansk, Russia, belonging to the 26th Missile Brigade.
“Thanks to effective intelligence and coordinated action, the target was successfully hit,” said Ukraine’s General Staff.
Footage released by Ukrainian forces captured the moment when a missile apparently targeting Kyiv exploded mid-air, likely intercepted before reaching its destination.
