Russia launched a large-scale overnight attack using missiles and drones, causing multiple explosions across the city. A hotel and several residential buildings caught fire, with significant damage reported in various districts.

Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, confirmed at least eight deaths and damage to about three dozen locations. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported 34 injuries, noting that the first to sixth floors of one apartment building collapsed after a direct hit.

People were reportedly trapped in a damaged nine-storey residential building, and a roof of another high-rise was on fire. 

The attack affected all 10 districts of Kyiv on both sides of the Dnipro River. Residents sheltered in metro stations as air raid alerts sounded across much of Ukraine. This was described as Russia’s most intense attack on the country since mid-June.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cut short a visit to Dublin after intelligence warned of the impending assault. He had been in Ireland for the start of its six-month EU rotating presidency.

Russia’s defence ministry claimed the strikes targeted military and energy facilities around Kyiv, as well as military airports in regions including Poltava and Dnipropetrovsk. Moscow described the operation as retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on civilian infrastructure. 

NATO member Poland scrambled fighter jets as a precautionary measure to protect its airspace.

The strikes come as Russia has intensified attacks on Kyiv in recent weeks, while Ukraine continues its own long-range drone campaign against Russian targets.