Six Killed in Russian Drone and Missile Strike on Ukraine
Deadly attacks hit Kyiv and southern Ukraine as Russian forces unleash missile and drone barrages.
At least six people lost their lives in a series of Russian drone and missile strikes targeting the Ukrainian capital and southern regions, officials reported.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on X that three individuals were killed in central Kyiv during the early Saturday assault, revising down an earlier toll of four. Another three people were reported dead in southern Ukraine.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko urged residents to seek shelter, warning of a "ballistic missile threat" before confirming that air defences were actively engaged. Windows shattered in the Shevchenkivskyi district, including at the Lukianivska metro station, which was subsequently closed.
The Shevchenkivskyi area, a bustling hub with universities, bars, and restaurants, bore the brunt of the attack. Russia's military claimed responsibility, stating that the strike targeted a facility manufacturing "long-range rockets" in retaliation for Ukraine's use of US-supplied ATACMS missiles against Russian territory. Ukrainian authorities had yet to verify the claim.
Al Jazeera’s Jonah Hull, reporting from Kyiv, described hearing explosions at around 6 a.m. (04:00 GMT), accompanied by intense anti-aircraft fire. Smoke was seen billowing from a residential building.
Meanwhile, a separate Russian missile attack struck the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, killing one and injuring 11, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov. In the Kherson region, governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported that Russian shelling killed two people in a town north of the regional capital.
Ukraine’s military claimed to have intercepted 24 out of 39 drones and two of four missiles launched by Russia during the overnight assault.
Ukrainian Counterattacks Intensify
The rare strike on Kyiv’s city centre comes amid intensified Ukrainian aerial offensives on Russian energy and military facilities. Ukraine has recently targeted several Russian oil depots, including a major facility near a military airfield in Saratov, which resulted in prolonged fires.
On Saturday, Ukraine's military reported that its drones had ignited a blaze at an oil depot in Russia’s Tula region, which allegedly supports the Russian military. Another drone attack targeted an oil depot in the Kaluga region, with damage still being assessed.
In response, Russia announced on Saturday that its forces had captured the villages of Vremivka and Petropavlivka in the eastern Donetsk region, an area where Russian troops have been steadily advancing for months.