Russian missile and drone strike on Kyiv kills at least 17; Zelenskyy says delays in anti-ballistic systems cost lives

Russia launched a major overnight missile and drone attack on Kyiv and the surrounding region, killing at least 17 people and injuring 44 others, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirms, He also said that ballistic missile interceptors could have saved lives and alleged that delays in supplying anti-ballistic systems had contributed to the casualties and destruction.

The strikes, which began after midnight, hit residential buildings, warehouse facilities, infrastructure and a railway station, according to Ukrainian officials. Emergency services said fires were still being extinguished at multiple locations across the Kyiv region.

Zelenskyy says interceptors could have saved lives

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack involved 24 ballistic missiles, four Zircon and Oniks missiles, and 115 drones, many of them jet-powered.

In a post on X, Zelenskyy said the main targets were civilian businesses, including warehouse facilities, construction materials storage sites and logistics centres.

“Ballistic missile interceptors could have saved the lives of those killed today,” Zelenskyy said, adding that delays in supplying anti-ballistic systems had directly contributed to casualties and destruction.



Ukraine has repeatedly urged its allies to provide more US-made Patriot missile interceptors to defend against Russian ballistic missile attacks.

Russia says it targeted military logistics facilities

Russia’s defence ministry said on Telegram that their forces had struck logistics hubs and supply centres in Kyiv and the surrounding region.

It claimed the facilities were used for storing, transporting and producing weapons, military equipment and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The ministry also said Russian forces had targeted cargo vessels near the Black Sea port of Odesa that were allegedly transporting weapons and military equipment.


Extensive damage across Kyiv region

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reportedly said there were concerns that people could still be trapped under the rubble.

Ukraine’s emergency services reported one death in Kyiv city and 16 additional deaths across the wider region. Fires affected an estimated 230,000 square metres across several sites.

Ukraine’s air force said it intercepted 98 of the 115 drones, but did not report intercepting any of the ballistic missiles launched during the attack.

Calls for sanctions and military support

Zelenskyy urged Ukraine’s partners to accelerate the supply of missile interceptors and anti-ballistic systems.

He also called for additional sanctions on Russia, arguing that a significant portion of Russia’s ballistic missile production remained outside existing sanctions regimes.

He said new measures were needed from the G7, the European Union and other countries supporting Ukraine.

Fighting intensifies on both sides

The latest strike comes as Russia has intensified attacks on Kyiv in recent weeks, while Ukraine has also stepped up strikes on Russian infrastructure and logistics facilities.

Russian officials said a Ukrainian drone struck a warehouse operated by e-commerce company Wildberries in the Tula region overnight, causing a fire and injuring one person.

Both Russia and Ukraine have repeatedly denied deliberately targeting civilians during the war.