Russian overnight air and missile attacks on multiple Ukrainian cities early Tuesday killed at least five people and injured dozens, according to Ukrainian authorities. The heaviest damage was reported in Kyiv and Dnipro, where rescue operations were continuing after buildings were damaged and power disruptions were reported.
Ukrainian officials said the overnight attack took place while most residents were at home, raising concerns over the scale of casualties and damage.
According to local authorities, four people were killed and 16 injured in the city of Dnipro. In the capital Kyiv, one person was confirmed dead and at least 29 people were injured.
Several high-rise residential buildings in Kyiv were struck during the attack. City authorities said some people could still be trapped under debris, with rescue operations underway to locate and evacuate them.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko urged residents to remain in safe locations and shelters, stating that multiple parts of the city had sustained damage and relief operations were continuing.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said the attack involved ballistic missiles and described it as highly dangerous and planned.
Witnesses reported hearing more than 10 loud explosions during the morning hours, while the sound of drones was heard across the city. Large plumes of smoke were seen rising over several areas.
Power supply disruptions and blackout conditions were reported in several parts of the capital following the attack.
Reports said an industrial facility in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region was also targeted. Damage assessments were still ongoing.
Local authorities said emergency services remained engaged in relief and rescue operations in affected areas.
A day before the strikes, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that a large-scale Russian attack was possible and urged residents to take air raid alerts seriously and remain in safe locations.
In an address, Zelenskyy said intelligence information indicated Russia was preparing for a major strike that could occur at any time.
Russia recently said it would conduct “systematic strikes” against Ukraine following a drone attack on a dormitory in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region that reportedly killed 21 people.
Moscow said it would respond to such attacks by targeting Ukrainian military and decision-making centres.
Air raid sirens were activated across Ukraine during the attacks, forcing thousands of people to seek shelter underground. Residents in Kyiv remained in protected locations overnight.
Fire incidents were reported in several parts of the city, with firefighting teams continuing operations.
Local media reported broken windows in multiple areas and roads covered with debris.
Emergency services said people could still be trapped inside damaged buildings, with rescue teams continuing debris removal and hospital transfers for the injured.
Several injured people were reported to be in serious condition, raising concerns that the death toll could rise.
The attack took place amid continuing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides accusing each other of attacks and retaliatory actions.
