Russia attacked Kyiv with hundreds of drones and over 70 missiles, killing at least 21 people.

Russia launched a large-scale attack on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles. The attack resulted in at least 21 deaths, numerous injuries, and damage to nearly 130 buildings. Reuters news agency reported this.

 

According to reports, successive explosions occurred in central Kyiv throughout the night. Thousands of residents were forced to seek shelter in bomb shelters and metro stations.

 

It is noted that this attack was the deadliest in Kyiv since at least May. Although the war has entered its fifth year, the scale of destruction observed across the capital is being assessed as one of the most severe attacks.

 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cut short his visit to Ireland and went to the area where a nine-story residential building was partially destroyed. He emphasized that if the air defense systems promised by allies had been delivered on time, more lives and homes could have been saved.

 

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched 74 missiles and 496 drones in a single night. The military reported that the number of ballistic missiles was significantly higher than usual and that the interception rate was low. In recent months, Ukraine has been experiencing a shortage of missiles for Patriot air defense systems.

 

Russia stated that the strikes were directed at military and energy facilities and were carried out in response to drone attacks launched by Ukraine on Russian territory.

 

In turn, Ukraine announced that it had struck an oil refinery in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod region.

 

The regional governor confirmed that one person was killed as a result of the strike on the industrial facility.

 

Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian negotiators met with U.S. representatives on Wednesday. He expressed hope that U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would visit Ukraine soon.