Russian forces launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv early Saturday, injuring at least 15 people and damaging infrastructure across six districts, according to the Kyiv city military administration. The assault, described as one of the largest air offensives on the Ukrainian capital since the conflict began, targeted residential areas, a shopping mall, and an educational facility.
Ukrainian Air Force officials reported that 14 ballistic missiles and 250 drones were deployed overnight, with Kyiv as the primary focus. Air defenses intercepted six missiles and 245 drones, but the remaining strikes caused significant damage. The attack followed a separate Russian strike on Odesa’s port infrastructure Friday, which killed three people and injured six others.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the U.S., Europe, and allied nations to impose stricter sanctions on Russia, emphasizing that economic pressure is critical to halting hostilities. \"Only additional sanctions targeting key sectors of the Russian economy will force Moscow to cease fire,\" he stated on social media platform X.
No immediate comment was issued by Russian authorities regarding the attacks. The incident underscores escalating tensions as Ukraine continues to appeal for international support.
