Russia launched its largest aerial assault on Kyiv since the start of the war early Thursday, killing at least 17 people in a massive drone and missile barrage that ripped through apartment buildings across the Ukrainian capital, according to city authorities.
The hours-long attack prompted the Kremlin to vow increased pressure on Ukraine, while Kyiv renewed calls for additional Western air defence support.
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, appealed to the United States for licences to manufacture Patriot air defence missiles domestically, saying the country urgently needed to strengthen its ability to repel Russian attacks.
Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian cities with waves of missiles and drones during its more than four-year invasion, Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
AFP journalists in central and eastern Kyiv reported hearing more than a dozen explosions as residents, many carrying children and pets, rushed into metro stations for shelter.
By morning, smoke hung over the capital as emergency workers searched through the rubble of shattered apartment buildings for survivors. At one site, a distraught mother embraced her son in front of the smouldering remains of their home.
Explosions began late Wednesday and continued into the early hours of Thursday as Russian drones and missiles struck residential neighbourhoods across the city.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the bombardment as the “enemy’s most massive attack on the capital.”
Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said at least 17 people were killed in the assault.
Zelensky urged Ukraine’s allies to accelerate deliveries of air defence systems.
“Air defence supplies for Ukraine are an absolute and critical priority,” he said in a Facebook post.
“We also very much count on a decision by the United States regarding licences for Patriots,” he added.
Ukraine is seeking to manufacture munitions for the US-made Patriot missile defence system, one of the country’s few effective shields against Russian ballistic missiles, although defence experts say establishing local production will take time.
According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia launched 496 drones and 74 missiles, including ballistic missiles that are difficult to intercept.
The military said it shot down 476 drones and 48 missiles.
Residents recount night of terror
Residents emerged from shelters on Thursday to scenes of widespread destruction.
“Half the building has been destroyed. The roof is gone,” said 32-year-old factory worker Sabina Mambetova outside her damaged apartment block in Kyiv’s eastern Darnytskyi district.
“I’ve been left without an apartment, alone with my child. I don’t know what to do now.”
Kyiv Metro said about 52,000 people, including 4,500 children, sought refuge in underground stations during the attack—the highest number recorded in recent years.
Many others spent the night in basements and corridors as explosions shook buildings across the city.
“It’s hard. My child is used to sleeping in complete silence and darkness,” 32-year-old doctor Kateryna Kucheryava told AFP from a metro station during the bombardment.
“I picked her up and carried her down. She woke up and now she’s not sleeping anymore.”
Families camped on station platforms with tents, air mattresses and camping chairs, while parents cradled sleeping children as the attacks continued overhead.
Kremlin vows more pressure
The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said she would propose fresh sanctions against Moscow in response to the attack.
The Kremlin, however, signalled no change in its position.
“Russia will continue to increase pressure on the Kyiv regime in order to achieve our set goals,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
The attack came hours after Zelensky cut short a visit to Dublin on Wednesday, citing intelligence reports warning of an impending large-scale Russian strike.
“I urge our people to be especially careful, to protect themselves, their children and, of course, their families; to use shelters and heed air raid alerts in Ukraine. This is very important,” he said.
Zelensky accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of preparing the attack over an extended period.
Ukraine has intensified long-range drone strikes inside Russia in recent weeks, targeting military installations and energy infrastructure.
Russian authorities have reported repeated Ukrainian attacks in border regions and said their air defences intercepted hundreds of drones in recent days.
Meanwhile, US-led diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire have yet to produce a breakthrough.
AFP
