Russia unleashed a massive overnight barrage of missiles and drones on Ukraine's capital and surrounding regions, killing at least 10 people and injuring more than 34, including four children, according to Ukrainian officials. The assault comes one day before NATO leaders are set to meet in The Hague, with Ukraine's defense needs high on the agenda.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 352 drones and 16 missiles, most of them targeting Kyiv. Air defense units shot down 339 drones and 15 missiles, but direct strikes still hit six locations across the capital, including residential buildings, universities, and metro station entrances.
Valeriy Mankuta, a 33-year-old construction worker who survived the attack on his apartment building in Kyiv's Shevchenkivskyi district, said: "There were bricks on me, there was something in my mouth. It was total hell. I woke up in the rubble." At least nine people died in that district alone, located less than a kilometer from the U.S. embassy.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the latest wave of attacks as "terrible," adding that most casualties came from a single strike in the Shevchenkivskyi area. He shared footage of destroyed apartment blocks via Telegram.
Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said damage was reported in six of the capital's ten districts. Kyiv's emergency services said the wounded included four children, while a 68-year-old woman was also killed in the broader Kyiv region. More than eight others in the area were injured.
Fire engulfed the swimming pool facility of the National Technical University (Kyiv Polytechnic Institute), which also houses an aerospace technology department. The university confirmed that four dormitories and several academic buildings were damaged.
An entrance to a deep metro station in the Sviatoshynskyi district, widely used as a bomb shelter, was also hit. Emergency crews continued combing through the rubble for survivors as of Monday evening.
In a separate midday strike, Russia targeted the Black Sea region of Odesa, killing two and injuring 12, according to regional governor Oleh Kiper.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the "cynical strike" and accused Moscow of using North Korean ballistic missiles. "A significant part of the drones and missiles were shot down by our sky defenders," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. "But not all. And everyone in countries close to Russia, Iran and North Korea should think about whether they will be able to protect lives there if this coalition of killers persists."
Zelenskyy, who is visiting the United Kingdom ahead of the NATO summit, said air defense will be a key topic in bilateral talks. "We will also agree on new and strong steps to put pressure on Russia for this war and to stop the strikes," he added.
Russia has not commented on the latest strikes, though its Defense Ministry claimed to have downed 23 Ukrainian drones overnight. The escalation marks one of the deadliest attacks on Kyiv this year, following a drone assault last week that killed 28 and injured over 150.
