Russia launches massive overnight drone, missile attack on Kyiv; kills four, including child | VIDEO

Kyiv: At least four people were killed in a massive overnight drone and missile attack by Russia on Ukraine, with Kyiv bearing the brunt of the assault. This marked the first major bombardment of the capital since an air strike last month that killed at least 21 people. Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv City Administration, confirmed via Telegram that among the dead was a 12-year-old girl, and 10 others were wounded. He mournfully noted, “The Russians have restarted the child death counter.”

Thick smoke billowed near Kyiv’s city centre after the strikes, which targeted residential buildings, civilian infrastructure, a medical facility, and even a kindergarten. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported damage at over 20 locations throughout the capital.

At Kyiv’s central train station, passengers, primarily women, took shelter under air raid alarms with quiet resilience amidst the sounds of anti-aircraft fire and drones. Some awaited the all-clear while parents checked their phones and children played online games. A woman named Erika described the grim atmosphere: “The sky has turned black again. It’s happening a lot.”

In areas hit by drone attacks, multi-story residential buildings were severely damaged, with upper floors gutted and shattered windows. Emergency teams worked through debris and glass scattered on sidewalks, as residents sat outside, visibly shaken.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the scope of the offensive as involving “hundreds of drones and missiles” and called on the international community to "maximise the cost of further escalation for Russia."

Russian officials have yet to comment on the attack. The bombardment also triggered a military alert in neighbouring Poland, where fighter jets were scrambled early Sunday as a preventative measure in response to Russian strikes on western Ukraine.

Concerns about the conflict spilling beyond Ukraine’s borders have grown recently, amid reported Russian drone incursions into Polish territory and fighter jets entering Estonian airspace. European countries have condemned these provocations.

The latest attack followed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s announcement of a $90 billion weapons package from the United States on Saturday, which includes a major arms deal and a separate agreement for the US purchase of Ukrainian-made drones.

Separately, Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its air defences shot down 41 Ukrainian drones during the overnight period into Sunday.

With inputs from AP