Major Russian Attack on Kyiv Kills Six, Including Pregnant Woman
A massive Russian missile and drone barrage struck Kyiv early Friday, killing six people and wounding at least 35, including a pregnant woman. The attack caused extensive damage to apartment buildings and started fires across the Ukrainian capital.
Key Takeaways
- Six killed, 35+ wounded in Kyiv, including a pregnant woman
- Russia used 430+ drones and 18 missiles in nighttime assault
- Attack targeted civilian areas despite Russian denials
- Ukraine shot down 14 missiles using Patriot defense systems
- Separate strikes hit Odesa and Kharkiv regions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it “a specially calculated attack to cause as much harm as possible to people and civilians.” The assault marked the largest on Kyiv in nearly three weeks and represented an escalation in Russia’s ongoing aerial campaign.
Survivors Recount Harrowing Ordeal
Kyiv residents described terrifying escapes during the nighttime attack. Mariia Kalchenko, a 46-year-old rescue dog handler, said she survived only by miracle when her building was hit.
“I didn’t hear anything, I just realized that my hair was on fire,” Kalchenko told The Associated Press.
She described turning around to find her neighbor’s wall gone and flames spreading through her apartment. Other residents spoke of explosions that threw them to the floor and collapsed ceilings that killed neighbors.
Iryna Synyavska, 62, said three people died in apartments next to hers, including an elderly woman and her visiting daughter.
Widespread Damage and International Response
The attack damaged eight of Kyiv’s ten districts and critical infrastructure in the wider region. The Azerbaijan Embassy in Kyiv was also hit by debris from an Iskander missile, drawing condemnation from Azerbaijan’s president.
Ukraine used American-made Patriot air defense systems to shoot down 14 missiles during the assault. Zelenskyy has repeatedly requested more advanced air defense systems from Western allies.
European defense officials meeting in Berlin on Friday pledged continued support for Ukraine, with Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal participating remotely.
Regional Attacks and Ukrainian Counterstrikes
In the Odesa region, Russian drones struck a busy market street in Chornomorsk, killing two people and wounding 11, including a 19-month-old girl.
Meanwhile, Ukraine launched counterstrikes against Russian targets, including an attack on the Novorossiysk port that damaged oil infrastructure and sparked a large fire. A Ukrainian security service source confirmed the attack on Russia’s second-largest oil export port.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed it shot down 216 Ukrainian drones overnight and accused Ukraine of hitting civilian facilities, saying the Kyiv strike was in response to these attacks.
