Russian strikes on Kyiv kill at least nine, Ukraine officials say
Russian ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv have killed at least nine people and injured 28, Ukrainian officials said, causing fires, damage to residential buildings and power cuts. The attack highlights Ukraine’s urgent need for air-defence interceptors as Russia intensifies missile attacks on the capital.
Seven people were reported killed in the Darnytskyi district and two in Solomyanskyi, where a five-storey residential building was partly destroyed; children were among those injured. The strikes followed a suspected Russian missile landing in Poland during a separate attack, while President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to seek US permission and support to produce Patriot interceptor missiles.
In short
- Russian ballistic strikes killed at least nine people in Kyiv.
- Residential buildings were damaged and 28 people were injured.
- Ukraine says Patriot interceptors are urgently needed.
Explained simply
Kyiv is Ukraine’s capital and has been a major target since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Russia has used missiles and drones against cities and infrastructure across Ukraine, while Ukraine says it tries to intercept incoming weapons with air-defence systems.
Ukraine’s government is led by President Volodymyr Zelensky, while Russia is led by President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine relies heavily on support from allies for weapons and ammunition, including Patriot systems, which are designed to shoot down some types of ballistic missile.
Attacks on Kyiv can cause civilian casualties, damage homes and disrupt electricity supplies for large numbers of people. They also underline the wider pressure on Ukraine’s air defences as the war continues.