A Russian drone attack on Kyiv resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals, including a 5-year-old child, and ignited fires in several high-rise apartment buildings across the capital, according to Ukrainian officials.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the incident as a "massive enemy drone attack" on the Telegram messaging app. While the full extent of the overnight assault was not immediately clear, Klitschko indicated that emergency services were dispatched to multiple districts of the city in response to reports of fires and damage. Witnesses reported hearing several blasts, likely from air defense systems in operation.
During rescue operations in the Holosiivskyi district, first responders discovered the body of a child, while a man's body had been found earlier in the same location. Ukraine's interior ministry confirmed that eight other people sustained injuries due to the attack.
Photos released by the state emergency service showcased firefighters battling flames, including those high up in an apartment building. A woman also died after drone debris ignited a fire in a residential high-rise in the Dniprovskyi district, prompting the evacuation of at least 27 residents.
The United States is advocating for a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, aiming to establish terms that would prevent strikes on energy infrastructure; however, reports indicate that attacks have persisted.
Regional Governor Mykola Kalashnik noted that two individuals were injured and several homes were damaged in areas surrounding the capital.
There was no immediate response from Russia, with both sides denying attempts to target civilians amid the ongoing conflict that began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago.
Kyiv and its surrounding region, along with eastern Ukraine, experienced air raid alerts for more than five hours, according to Ukrainian air force maps.